Intense physical activity is associated with cognitive performance in the elderly

B.M. Brown; J.J. Peiffer; H.R. Sohrabi; A. Mondal; V.B. Gupta; S.R. Rainey-Smith; K. Taddei; S. Burnham; K.A. Ellis; C. Szoeke; C.L. Masters; D. Ames; C.C. Rowe; R.N. Martins

doi:10.1038/tp.2012.118

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Intense physical activity is associated with cognitive performance in the elderly

Journal article

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Peer reviewed

Intense physical activity is associated with cognitive performance in the elderly

B.M. Brown, J.J. Peiffer, H.R. Sohrabi, A. Mondal, V.B. Gupta, S.R. Rainey-Smith, K. Taddei, S. Burnham, K.A. Ellis, C. Szoeke, …

Translational Psychiatry, Vol.2, Article number e191

2012

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/tp.2012.118

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Abstract

Numerous studies have reported positive impacts of physical activity on cognitive function. However, the majority of these studies have utilised physical activity questionnaires or surveys, thus results may have been influenced by reporting biases. Through the objective measurement of routine levels of physical activity via actigraphy, we report a significant association between intensity, but not volume, of physical activity and cognitive functioning. A cohort of 217 participants (aged 60–89 years) wore an actigraphy unit for 7 consecutive days and underwent comprehensive neuropsychological assessment. The cohort was stratified into tertiles based on physical activity intensity. Compared with individuals in the lowest tertile of physical activity intensity, those in the highest tertile scored 9%, 9%, 6% and 21% higher on the digit span, digit symbol, Rey Complex Figure Test (RCFT) copy and Rey Figure Test 30-min recall test, respectively. Statistically, participants in the highest tertile of physical activity intensity performed significantly better on the following cognitive tasks: digit symbol, RCFT copy and verbal fluency test (all P<0.05). The results indicate that intensity rather than quantity of physical activity may be more important in the association between physical activity and cognitive function.

Details

Title: Intense physical activity is associated with cognitive performance in the elderly
Authors/Creators: B.M. Brown (Author/Creator) - Edith Cowan University
J.J. Peiffer (Author/Creator) - Edith Cowan University
H.R. Sohrabi (Author/Creator) - Edith Cowan University
A. Mondal (Author/Creator) - Edith Cowan University
V.B. Gupta (Author/Creator) - Edith Cowan University
S.R. Rainey-Smith (Author/Creator)
K. Taddei (Author/Creator) - Edith Cowan University
S. Burnham (Author/Creator) - Preventative Health
K.A. Ellis (Author/Creator) - Mental Health Research Institute
C. Szoeke (Author/Creator) - The University of Melbourne
C.L. Masters (Author/Creator) - Mental Health Research Institute
D. Ames (Author/Creator) - St George’s Hospital
C.C. Rowe (Author/Creator) - Austin Health
R.N. Martins (Author/Creator) - Edith Cowan University
Publication Details: Translational Psychiatry, Vol.2, Article number e191
Publisher: Macmillan Publishers Limited
Identifiers: 991005545141607891
Copyright: © 2012 Macmillan Publishers
Murdoch Affiliation: School of Psychology and Exercise Science
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Citation topics: 1 Clinical & Life Sciences; 1.52 Neurodegenerative Diseases; 1.52.60 Dementia
Web Of Science research areas: Psychiatry
ESI research areas: Psychiatry/Psychology