Association Of Timing And Temporal Characteristics Of Movement Behaviors With Cognitive Function Of Older Adults

The relationship between 24-h movement behaviors and risk for Alzheimer’s disease, or rate of decline in those diagnosed, is established. Only considering overall amount of time spent in each movement behavior (e.g., minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity) may be masking important information regarding the temporal characteristics of movement behaviors. PURPOSE: To examine the association between cognitive function and the temporal characteristics of movement behaviors in a nationally representative sample of adults ≥60 years of age in the United States. METHODS: Adults ≥60 years of age in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2012 wore an accelerometer at their nondominant wrist for one week (n = 751, 47% males, 78% non-Hispanic white). The ‘GGIR’ package was used to calculate movement behavior outcomes (intensity gradient, mean acceleration overall and in the most and least active hour of the day, minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity [MVPA] and inactivity, probability of transitioning from inactivity to activity [IN2PA] or vice versa [PA2IN], mean duration of active or inactive bouts). Cognitive function was assessed using three tests (word recall, animal fluency, digit symbol substitution) that were standardized for education, race, and age and then combined into a global score. Linear models were used to examine whether cognitive function predicted movement behavior outcomes. All analyses adjust for the complex sampling strategy and employ survey weights. RESULTS: Worsening memory and corresponding functional limitations were self-reported by 8.5 and 13.0% of participants, respectively, who had an average global cognition score of 0.7. Higher global cognition score was a significant predictor of intensity gradient (0.03, p < 0.001), mean acceleration (1.18 mg, p < 0.001), MVPA (4.11 min, p < 0.001), inactivity (-6.72 min, p = 0.03), IN2PA (0.22%, p < 0.001), acceleration in the most active hour (3.04 mg, p < 0.001), and mean duration of inactive bouts (-42.19 min, p = 0.002), many of which persisted even after controlling for overall activity level. CONCLUSION: Capturing more than just overall participation in physical activity is important. Further research should examine whether these outcomes can serve as clinical markers of disease risk. Supported by: Research Catalyst Program from the Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Research Center at Utah State University