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Bidirectional association between cognitive function and depressive symptoms in UK community elderly based on
Jiahui Liu1, Yalong Li1, Lei Song1
1Baoding University, Hebei, China.
Plos One
|July 21, 2026
Summary
Physical activity (PA) helps cognitive function (CF) and depressive symptoms in older adults. PA mediates how CF affects depression, but doesn't reduce depression's impact on CF.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neuroscience
- Public Health
Background:
- Physical activity (PA) is linked to improved cognitive function (CF) and reduced depressive symptoms in older adults.
- A bidirectional relationship exists between CF and depressive symptoms.
- Mechanisms and temporal sequence of PA, CF, and depression require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the mediating role of PA in the bidirectional association between CF and depressive symptoms.
- To investigate the longitudinal relationships among PA, CF, and depressive symptoms in middle-aged and older adults.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study using data from the English Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSA) (2014-2019).
- Assessed PA, CF, and depressive symptoms via questionnaires.
- Employed Cross-Lagged Panel Models (CLPM) and longitudinal mediation analysis.
Main Results:
- Poorer CF predicted future depressive symptoms, and vice versa, with CF being the dominant factor.
- Poorer CF predicted lower PA, which in turn predicted more severe depressive symptoms.
- PA mediated 5.71% of the effect of CF on depressive symptoms, but did not mediate depression's effect on CF.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive function is negatively correlated with depressive symptoms.
- Physical activity mediates the positive effect of CF on depressive symptoms in older adults.
- Active participation in PA supports cognitive and mental health maintenance in aging populations.
