Objectively assessed physical activity and sedentary behavior and global cognitive function in older adults: a systematic review

A.G.M. Rojer, K.A. Ramsey, E.S. Amaral Gomes, L. D'Andrea, C. Chen, C. Szoeke, C.G.M. Meskers, E.M. Reijnierse, A.B. Maier

Research output: Contribution to JournalReview articleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

© 2021 The Author(s)Background: Both physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) are important factors for healthy ageing. This systematic review aimed to determine the association of objectively assessed (instrumented) PA and SB with global cognitive function in older adults. Methods: PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library (via Wiley), CINAHL, PsychINFO, and SPORTDiscus (via EBSCO) were searched from inception to June 21, 2020 for articles that described associations of objectively assessed PA/SB with global cognitive function in older adults aged 60 years and older. Results were synthesized using an effect direction heat map and albatross plots portrayed estimated effect sizes (standardized regression coefficients (βs)), which were summarized in boxplots. Results: In total, 45 articles were included representing a total of 15,817 older adults (mean/median age ranged from 65 to 88 years; 49.5% female). Longitudinal studies (n = 7) showed that higher moderate-to-vigorous and light PA (MVPA and LPA, respectively) and lower SB were associated with better global cognitive function. Standardized βs of cross-sectional studies (n = 38) showed that lower SB (median [IQR], β = 0.078 [0.004-0.184] and higher LPA (β = 0.096 [0.046-0.188]), activity counts (β = 0.131 [0.049-0.224]), number of steps (β = 0.155 [0.096-0.246]), MVPA (β = 0.163 [0.069-0.285]) and total PA (TPA) (β = 0.174 [0.147-0.255]) were associated with better global cognitive function. Conclusions: Higher PA and lower SB are associated with better global cognitive function in older adults. The greatest estimated effect sizes were found for moderate-to-vigorous and TPA, suggesting that greater duration of any PA, and high intensity PA could be most beneficial for global cognitive function.
Original languageEnglish
Article number111524
JournalMechanisms of Ageing and Development
Volume198
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Sept 2021

Funding

This work was supported the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programmes under the Marie Curie Skoldowska-Curie grant for the PANINI project (675003); and the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme PreventIT (689238). This work was supported the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programmes under the Marie Curie Skoldowska-Curie grant for the PANINI project (675003); and the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme PreventIT (689238).

FundersFunder number
European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme PreventIT
European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme PreventIT689238
Marie Curie Skoldowska-Curie675003
Horizon 2020 Framework Programme
European Commission

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