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Physical activity and cognitive function in adults born very preterm or with very low birth weight-an individual

Kristina Anna Djupvik Aakvik1, Silje Dahl Benum1, Marjaana Tikanmäki2,3

  • 1Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.

Plos One
|February 13, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Adults born very preterm or with very low birth weight are less physically active, particularly women. Cognitive function does not explain this difference, suggesting physical activity interventions for this population.

Area of Science:

  • Perinatal Epidemiology
  • Developmental Neuroscience
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Individuals born very preterm (gestation <32 weeks) or with very low birthweight (<1500g) often exhibit reduced cognitive function compared to term-born peers.
  • Previous research suggests potential differences in physical activity levels in adulthood, but the relationship between preterm birth, physical activity, and cognitive function remains unclear.

Approach:

  • An individual participant data meta-analysis was conducted using data from the Research on European Children and Adults Born Preterm (RECAP) and Adults Born Preterm International Collaboration ( chóng) consortia.
  • A systematic literature search of PubMed and Embase identified relevant cohorts with data on physical activity and cognitive function in adults born very preterm/very low birth weight and term-born controls.

Key Points:

  • The meta-analysis included 1644 participants (aged 22-28 years), with 595 born very preterm/very low birth weight and 1049 controls.
  • Adults born very preterm/very low birth weight reported 1.11 hours less moderate to vigorous physical activity weekly than controls, with a more pronounced difference in women.
  • Neither intelligence quotient nor executive function mediated the association between very preterm/very low birth weight and physical activity levels.

Conclusions:

  • Adults born very preterm/very low birth weight, especially women, engage in less moderate to vigorous physical activity than their term-born counterparts.
  • Cognitive function does not appear to mediate this reduced physical activity.
  • Given the increased risk of adverse health outcomes in this population, physical activity interventions are recommended.
Abstract

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