Physical Activity Weakly Associated With Better Late-Life Cognition

Follow Drugslib on

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com.

By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter

FRIDAY, Feb. 2, 2024 -- Physical activity is associated with better late-life cognition, but the association is weak, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis published online Feb. 1 in JAMA Network Open.

Paula Iso-Markku, M.D., Ph.D., from the University of Helsinki, and colleagues examined how length of follow-up, baseline age, amount of physical activity, and study quality modify the longitudinal associations of physical activity with cognition in a review of observational studies. Overall, 104 studies with 341,471 participants were included in the analyses.

The researchers found that after correction for funnel plot asymmetry, physical activity was associated with reduced incidence of cognitive impairment or decline (pooled risk ratio, 0.97), but in follow-ups longer than 10 years, there was no significant association observed. Physical activity was associated with follow-up global cognition and change in global cognition (standardized regression coefficients, 0.03 and 0.01, respectively) from trim-and-fill analyses; no clear dose-response or moderation was seen based on follow-up length, baseline age, study quality or adjustment for baseline cognition. Episodic memory and verbal fluency were the specific cognitive domains associated with physical activity (standardized regression coefficients, 0.03 and 0.05, respectively).

"This systematic review and meta-analysis found that the association between physical activity and cognitive decline was very small, with no evident dose-response association," the authors write. "With that said, even weak associations can be clinically significant from a population health perspective when physical activity continues over decades."

Abstract/Full Text

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

Source: HealthDay

Posted : 2024-02-03 08:15

Read more

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Popular Keywords