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Physical activity and 5-year cognitive decline in the Doetinchem cohort study
Maaike Angevaren1, Luc Vanhees, Astrid C J Nooyens
1Research Group Lifestyle and Health, University of Applied Sciences, Utrecht, The Netherlands. Maaike.Angevaren@hu.nl
Purpose:
It is hypothesized that the intensity of physical activity habits, rather than the time spent on those activities, might mediate cognitive function. This study tested a possible association between changes in the time spent on or the average intensity of weekly physical activities and changes in cognitive function in healthy men and women.
Methods:
This longitudinal cohort study with 1,904 healthy men and women (45-75 years of age) assessed physical activity by a questionnaire and cognitive function with a neuropsychological test battery twice with an interval of 5 years.
Results:
Multiple linear regression analyses showed that changes in the time spent on physical activities were not associated with changes in cognitive function over a 5-year period. By contrast, changes in average intensity of weekly activities were significantly and positively associated with processing speed (beta = 0.063; p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
In this longitudinal cohort study, an increase or smaller decline in average intensity was associated with a smaller age-related decline in processing speed, estimated at 6 years of aging.
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Definition
An exercise stress test measures the heart's response to exertion using a treadmill or stationary bicycle. Chest electrodes record the heart's electrical activity through an ECG, and blood pressure is monitored regularly.
Purposes
