Public Health

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Public Health
• Gerontology

Background:

• Existing research on physical activity (PA) and cognitive decline often lacks detailed PA parameter characterization.
• The specific domains of PA, such as leisure and commuting, and their impact on cognition require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the associations of various physical activity parameters (volume, frequency, intensity, and context) with cognitive decline in middle-aged and older adults.
• To differentiate the effects of leisure-time PA versus commuting PA on cognitive function over an 8-year follow-up.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of data from the Estudo Longitudinal de Saude do Adulto (ELSA-Brasil) study with 10,187 participants.
• Assessment of physical activity using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and cognitive function (global and domain-specific) at baseline and follow-up.
• Use of robust Poisson regression models to examine the risk of incident cognitive impairment, adjusting for multiple covariates.

Main Results:

• Leisure-time vigorous physical activity (VPA) was associated with a reduced risk of cognitive impairment (150 min/week: RR: 0.76).
• Active commuting (walking/cycling) was associated with an increased risk of cognitive impairment (150 min/week: RR: 1.57).
• Leisure-time moderate physical activity (MPA) was linked to lower cognitive impairment incidence, while light physical activity (LPA) showed no significant association.

Conclusions:

• The relationship between physical activity and cognitive impairment is dependent on PA parameters, including volume, domain, and intensity.
• Promoting leisure-time physical activity, particularly at higher intensities, may be beneficial for preventing cognitive decline.
• Interventions should consider the context and intensity of physical activity for optimal cognitive health outcomes.