Impact of Different Types of Sedentary Behaviour on Cognitive Function in Older Adults: A Systematic Review

Sedentary behaviour (SB) is a relevant determinant of health in ageing, yet its effects on cognitive function remain inconclusive. The literature often treats SB as a homogeneous exposure, without considering that different sedentary activities may differentially affect cognitive domains. Accordingly, this study sought to identify how distinct types of SB influence cognition in older adults.

A systematic review was conducted and registered in PROSPERO (CRD42025637160), following PRISMA guidelines. Observational studies published between 2010 and 2025 were included if they involved participants aged 60 years or older and examined the relationship between specific types of SB and cognitive domains. Searches were performed in PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science and Scopus. Two independent reviewers carried out study selection, data extraction and quality assessment using Joanna Briggs Institute tools.

The search yielded 1795 records, resulting in the inclusion of 13 studies encompassing 43 902 participants. Findings were heterogeneous: passive SB, particularly, television viewing, was more frequently associated with poorer cognitive performance. In contrast, cognitively stimulating sedentary activities involving complex tasks-such as reading, playing games and computer use-were positively associated with memory, executive function and processing speed. Some studies further suggested that cognitive engagement may mitigate potential negative effects of SB.

The findings indicate that the impact of SB on cognition depends more on the type of activity performed than on total sedentary time, underscoring the importance of context and mental demand. SO WHAT?: Identifying which types of SB are beneficial or harmful may inform health promotion strategies, encouraging older adults to replace passive SB with cognitively stimulating sedentary activities, thereby supporting healthier cognitive ageing.