Association between Lifespan Exercise Habits and Cognitive Function in Older Age: the Bunkyo Health Study

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundPreventing or delaying the onset of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a crucial strategy for maintaining an independent life in old age (Rodakowski J et al., 2014). Exercise habits for ∼ ten years in the 50s or older were associated with preserving cognitive function (Rovio, S., et al., 2005; J Krell‐Roesch, et al., 2021). However, it is still unclear whether continuous exercise habits throughout the 50s to late life are required to prevent MCI. This study aimed to investigate the association between continuity of exercise habits from the 50s to late life and MCI in older age.MethodWe included 1585 participants (669 males and 916 females) aged 65 to 84 years old living in an urban area (Bunkyo Health Study). MCI was defined as the Japanese version of The Montreal Cognitive Assessment score of 22 points or less. Participants were divided into three groups based on continuity of exercise habits in each decade of the 50s to current age: never having exercise habits in their 50s to current [Never group, reference], having exercise habits in one or several of ages from 50s to current [Intermittent group], and having continuous exercise habits in all of ages [Continuous group]. The odds ratio (ORs) for the prevalence of MCI were obtained using logistic regression models while adjusting for potential confounders including age, years of education, body fat percentage, smoking history, alcohol intake, and cognition‐related diseases (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, cerebrovascular disease).ResultCompared with the Never group, none of the ORs for MCI were statistically significant in men (Intermittent group: ORs: 0.60, 95%CI: 0.36 – 1.02; Continuous group: ORs: 0.99, 95%CI: 0.61 – 1.63; P for trend: P = 0.93). In contrast, the ORs for MCI were significantly lower in the Continuous group in women (Intermittent group: ORs: 0.74, 95%CI: 0.47 – 1.17; Continuous group: ORs: 0.50, 95%CI: 0.29‐0.87; P for trend: P = 0.01).ConclusionMore sustained exercise participation from the 50s to late life was associated with a lower prevalence of MCI in women but not in men.