Current and past leisure time physical activity in relation to risk of Alzheimer's disease in older adults

Abstract

IntroductionThe associations between self-reported current and past leisure time physical activity (LTPA) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) incidence were determined using data from the multiethnic Washington/Hamilton Heights-Inwood Columbia Aging Project (WHICAP) study. MethodsThe metabolic equivalent of LTPA energy expenditure was calculated for self-reported current and past LTPA for 1345 older adults. A Cox proportional hazard model was conducted to estimate the association between LTPA (low, middle, and high) and incident AD risk. ResultsComparing high to low level, current and past LTPA were both associated with reduced AD risk, with hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) = 0.39 (0.20–0.75) and 0.37 (0.18–0.75), respectively. Compared with “always low,” “increased” and “always high” LTPA throughout life were associated with reduced AD risk, with hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) = 0.60 (0.36–0.99) and 0.28 (0.08–0.94), respectively. Light- and moderate-intensity LTPA were associated with lower AD risk. DiscussionLTPA both throughout life and later in life are associated with lower risk of AD.