Longitudinal association between the weekend warrior physical activity pattern and cognitive function trajectories...

Cognitive decline is a major public health concern in aging societies, and physical activity (PA) is a key modifiable factor. Some individuals concentrate their PA into one or two days per week-the "weekend warrior" pattern-but its long-term relationship with cognitive changes remains unclear. This study aimed to examined the association between the weekend warrior pattern and cognitive trajectories among middle-aged and older adults in China.

Data were derived from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS, 2013-2018). A total of 1,530 adults aged ≥ 45 years who completed three survey waves were included. Group-based trajectory modeling (GBTM) was used to identify distinct cognitive trajectories, and multinomial logistic regression with hierarchical adjustment assessed associations between the weekend warrior pattern and these trajectories.

Six distinct cognitive trajectories were identified. Compared with the Cognitive Impairment-Persistent Low group, participants adopting the weekend warrior pattern were significantly more likely to belong to the Cognitive Normal-Stable group (Model5: OR = 2.685, 95% CI: 2.68-2.69, P < 0.001). Sensitivity and subgroup analyses yielded consistent results, supporting the robustness of the association.

The weekend warrior PA pattern was significantly associated with more favorable cognitive trajectories among middle-aged and older adults. Concentrating PA within one or two days per week may offer long-term cognitive benefits and represents a practical strategy for promoting brain health in aging populations.