The long-term relation between physical activity and executive function in the Rotterdam Study

Area of Science:

• Gerontology and Cognitive Neuroscience
• Epidemiology of Aging

Background:

• Previous research on physical inactivity and cognitive decline often uses short follow-up periods, potentially influenced by reverse causality.
• Long-term associations between physical activity and cognitive health require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the long-term relationship between physical activity in late adulthood and executive functioning.
• To assess the impact of physical activity on the rate of age-associated cognitive decline over up to 16 years.

Main Methods:

• Prospective cohort study involving 3553 participants from the Rotterdam Study.
• Assessment of late-life physical activity and executive functioning at multiple time points over 16 years (1997-2015).

Main Results:

• Higher physical activity levels at baseline were associated with better executive functioning, a benefit sustained over 16 years.
• Overall, baseline physical activity did not significantly alter the rate of executive function decline.
• In individuals carrying the ApoE-ε4 allele, higher physical activity appeared to attenuate the accelerated decline in executive abilities.

Conclusions:

• Sustained higher physical activity in late adulthood is associated with preserved executive functioning over a 16-year period.
• Physical activity may play a role in mitigating cognitive decline associated with the ApoE-ε4 genotype.