A-127 The Association Between Objectively-Measured Physical Activity and Cognitive Functioning in Middle-Aged and Older People Living with HIV

Abstract

Abstract Objective: Middle-aged and older people living with HIV (PWH) are at higher risk for cognitive impairment and engage in lower levels of physical activity (PA) than seronegative counterparts. Though some studies have examined self-reported PA and cognitive outcomes in PWH, research examining the association between objectively-measured PA and cognitive function in this population is scarce. This cross-sectional study examined the association between accelerometry-measured PA and cognitive functioning in PWH. Method: In this study of 75 PWH (mean age 55.63) we collected accelerometry-measured PA indices and cognitive functioning from a comprehensive cognitive assessment. Cognitive outcomes included continuous demographically-adjusted T scores for global cognition and individual cognition domains, as well as a binary cognitive impairment variable. Results: Significant associations were found between PA variables and cognitive domains, including higher bouted (in bouts of ≥10 minutes) light PA minutes per week with better executive function, working memory/attention, and speed of processing performance, adjusted for age and current CD4 count. No significant associations were found between PA variables and the binary cognitive impairment variable, nor were associations found between cognitive functioning variables and a binary variable indicating whether participants met CDC recommendations for PA (i.e., at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-to-vigorous PA). Conclusions: Findings suggest that although middle-aged and older PWH engage in more light than moderate-to-vigorous PA, light PA may be beneficial to cognition. Longitudinal studies are needed to understand PA dose–response associations with cognitive trajectories, cognitive domain specificity of PA effects, and underlying neural mechanisms of PA.