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Updated: Jan 17, 2026
Visualization of Intensity Levels to Reduce the Gap Between Self-Reported and Directly Measured Physical Activity
Published on: March 7, 2019
Association of Self-Reported and Accelerometer-Measured Physical Activity With Cognitive Performance in the
Natalia Gomes Goncalves1, Paulo H L Coelho1, Natan Feter2
1Division of Geriatrics.
Purpose:
There are important discrepancies between self-reported and objectively measured data of physical activity (PA). This study investigated the association between PA and cognitive performance using self-reported and objectively measured PA and compared if differences between measures were associated with cognitive performance.
Methods:
We used data from the 2017 to 19 wave of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health. PA was self-reported using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and evaluated objectively with a triaxial accelerometer. The discrepancy between self-reported and objectively measured PA was calculated as the difference between the two measures. Cognitive assessment evaluated memory, verbal fluency, and executive function. Linear regression evaluated the associations of self-reported, objectively measured, and the difference between these two measures with cognitive performance.
Results:
In 8873 participants (56% women, 41% Black/Mixed race, and 58% college educated), the mean self-reported and objectively measured time engaged in PA was 2.7 hours/week and 5.6 hours/week, respectively. There was no association of self-reported or objectively measured PA with cognitive performance. There was no association of under-reporting or over-reporting of PA with cognitive performance.
Conclusion:
This study highlights the importance of accurate PA assessment in epidemiological studies investigating its association with cognitive health.
