How Life-Course Trajectories of Physical Activity Track With Cognitive Decline

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Gerontology
• Public Health

Background:

• Physical activity (PA) is recognized for its potential to delay cognitive decline and dementia.
• A life-course perspective examining repeated PA measures in relation to cognitive decline is understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prospectively examine the association between adult physical activity trajectories and cognitive decline.
• To identify distinct patterns of physical activity across the lifespan and their impact on cognitive domains.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from Framingham Heart Study Offspring and Omni 1 participants (n=2229) with multiple PA and cognitive measures.
• Employed group-based multitrajectory models to define PA patterns from age 17 to 96.
• Applied linear mixed-effects models to assess cognitive changes across PA trajectories.

Main Results:

• Identified four PA trajectories: stabilizers, decliners, reversers, and plummeters.
• Stabilizers and decliners showed significantly slower decline in memory, executive function, and language compared to plummeters.
• Reversers demonstrated slower language decline.

Conclusions:

• Sustaining physical activity in mid-to-late life is associated with mitigated cognitive decline.
• Preventing declines in physical activity later in life may be crucial for preserving cognitive function.