Age-dependent associations between physical activity and cognitive function in adults aged 70–100: A cross-sectional and longitudinal study

BackgroundWhile the protective effects of physical activity (PA) on cognitive function and risk for cognitive decline are well documented, it remains unclear if the preventive effect continues at advancing age.ObjectiveThis study aims to examine the association between PA and cognitive impairment between ages 70-100MethodsThe Jerusalem Cross-sectional and Longitudinal Study (1990-2023) prospectively follows a representative community-dwelling cohort born 1920-1921, combining follow-up of the original cohort with repeated recruitment of same-birth cohort participants at each age. During the study, assessments were performed at ages 70, 78, 85, 90, 95, and 100 (n = 604, 1024, 1222, 729, 508, 205, respectively). Comprehensive assessment included Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) defining cognitive impairment (≤23/30), and self-reported PA, dichotomized to Sedentary (PA-S) (<4 h weekly) versus Active (PA-A) (at least >4 h a week).ResultsAt ages 70, 78, 85, 90, 95, and 100 the frequency of PA-A was 53.5%, 77.0%, and declined to 64.3%, 16.0%, 25.5%, and 27.1%, respectively. In a longitudinal analysis, PA-S at baseline was found to have a statistically significant association with cognitive impairment at a later age between ages 78-85, 85-90: OR 2.61 (95%CI 1.38-4.82); OR 2.90 (95%CI 1.63- 5.11), respectively. At ages 90-95 a similar not statistically significant effect was found.ConclusionsPA is associated with better cognitive aging and lower risk for cognitive impairment in advanced age. Inclusion of very old adults extends evidence into an age rarely examined and demonstrates that promotion of PA remains relevant even at advanced ages.