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Visualization of Intensity Levels to Reduce the Gap Between Self-Reported and Directly Measured Physical Activity
Published on: March 7, 2019
Physical activity, cognitive function, and mortality in a US national cohort.
R F Gillum1, Thomas O Obisesan
1Department of Medicine, Howard University College of Medicine, 2041 Georgia Ave., Washington, DC 20060, USA. rfg2.howard.edu@gmail.com
Annals of Epidemiology
|February 23, 2010
Summary
High physical activity (LTPA) significantly lowers mortality risk in older adults. This protective effect is independent of cognitive function, though cognitive impairment increases mortality risk, especially in those aged 75 and older.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Aging is associated with cognitive decline and increased mortality risk.
- Both low physical activity and impaired cognitive function are linked to higher mortality.
- The interplay between physical activity, cognitive function, and mortality in older adults requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the hypothesis that high physical activity offers greater mortality protection in individuals with impaired cognitive function compared to those with normal cognition.
- To examine the association between leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and cognitive function with mortality risk in older Americans.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal mortality follow-up study of 5903 American adults aged 60+ was conducted from 1988-1994, with an average follow-up of 8.5 years.
- Baseline data included self-reported LTPA, a short index of cognitive function (SICF), sociodemographic information, and health status.
- Proportional hazards regression models were used to analyze the relationship between LTPA, SICF, and mortality, adjusting for various confounders.
Main Results:
- Higher LTPA was cross-sectionally associated with better cognitive function.
- Frequent LTPA (more than 8 times weekly) was associated with a significantly reduced mortality risk (HR 0.51).
- Low cognitive function was associated with increased mortality risk (HR 1.43) in younger old adults (60-74), but this effect diminished after controlling for confounders. In adults 75+, cognitive function remained a significant predictor of mortality.
Conclusions:
- Frequent leisure-time physical activity is independently associated with a lower risk of death in older Americans.
- The impact of impaired cognitive function on mortality risk is partially explained by other risk factors in adults aged 60-74, but not in those aged 75 and older.
- Physical activity remains a crucial factor in promoting longevity and healthspan in the aging population.
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