Sambandet mellan fysisk aktivitet och kognitiv funktion hos äldre : Betydelsen av fitness-nivå, ålder och kön

With a growing elderly population, the prevalence of cognitive impairment, such as Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and dementia, is also increasing. Previous research has shown that physical activity has a positive impact on cognitive function, but it remains unclear how factors such as sex, age, and fitness level influence this relationship. The aim of this study was to examine the association between physical activity and cognitive function in individuals over 60 years of age, as well as to analyze how sex, age, and fitness level may affect this relationship. The study has a quantitative, cross-sectional design and is based on data from 40 participants within the COMIDE project. Participants completed a MoCA test to measure cognitive function, and physical activity was assessed using the internationally recognized IPAQ questionnaire. Fitness level was defined based on relative VO₂ max and grip strength. The data was analyzed using Spearman’s rank correlation and logistic regression analysis. The results showed no statistically significant associations between physical activity and cognitive function. No significant differences were observed within subgroups based on sex, age, or fitness level either. This contrasts with previous research. The findings are likely due to limitations in the study design. The relatively small study population, the cross-sectional design, and potential validity issues with the measurement instruments contribute to a possibly low statistical power and limit the ability to draw clear conclusions. Given these limitations, future research should utilize larger samples and longitudinal designs to better understand how physical activity affects cognitive function over time. Additionally, future studies should consider more objective measurement methods and include subgroup analyses to determine whether certain groups respond differently to physical activity in relation to cognitive health.