High-intensity physical activity is not associated with better cognition in the elder: evidence from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study

Zhiyuan Wu,Wei Wang,Lixin Tao,Jinqi Wang,Yue Liu,Di Zhou,Huiying Pan,Xiangtong Liu,Zhiwei Li,Deqiang Zheng,Xia Li,Xinlei Miao,Haiping Zhang,Xiuhua Guo,Haibin Li

doi:10.1186/s13195-021-00923-3

Abstract

BackgroundTo evaluate the association of physical activity (PA) intensity with cognitive performance at baseline and during follow-up.MethodsA total of 4039 participants aged 45 years or above from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study were enrolled in visit 1 (2011–2012) and followed for cognitive function in visit 2 (2013–2014), visit 3 (2015–2016), and visit 4 (2017–2018). We analyzed the association of PA intensity with global cognition, episodic memory, and mental intactness at baseline using adjusted regression methods and evaluated the long-term effect of PA intensity using multiple measures of cognition scores by mixed effect model.ResultsIn cross-sectional analysis, mild and moderate PA, rather than vigorous PA, was associated with better cognitive performance. The results remained consistent in multiple sensitivity analyses. During the follow-up, participant with mild PA had a 0.56 (95% CI 0.12–0.99) higher global cognition, 0.23 (95% CI 0.01–0.46) higher episodic memory, and 0.33 (95% CI 0.01–0.64) higher mental intactness, while those with moderate PA had a 0.74 (95% CI 0.32–1.17) higher global score, 0.32 (95% CI 0.09–0.54) higher episodic memory, and 0.43 (95% CI 0.12–0.74) higher mental intactness, compared with individuals without PA. Vigorous PA was not beneficial to the long-term cognitive performance.ConclusionsOur study indicates that mild and moderate PA could improve cognitive performance, rather than the vigorous activity. The targeted intensity of PA might be more effective to achieve the greatest cognition improvement considering age and depressive status.

Highlights

To evaluate the association of physical activity (PA) intensity with cognitive performance at baseline and during follow-up
In a metaanalysis of 39 randomized controlled trials (RCT), the results showed that PA interventions are effective for improving cognitive function in older adults regardless of the baseline cognitive status [10]
We explored the association of PA intensity with global cognition, episodic memory and mental intactness both at baseline and during follow-up, after accounting for a range of sociodemographic characteristics and physical health conditions

Summary

Introduction

To evaluate the association of physical activity (PA) intensity with cognitive performance at baseline and during follow-up. A RCT in older adults aged 55 to 80 years without psychiatric or neurological diseases showed a positive association of cognitive improvement with aerobic fitness and training-induced neuroplasticity. In another RCT of exercise interventions, the researchers did not find sufficient evidence that PA or aerobic fitness could improve the cognitive performance in older adults over 50 years [11]. Sammi et al found that more exercise is not always better for the self-reported mental health burden [6] It remains unknown whether or not highintensity PA is related to better cognitive performance [14, 15]. The long-term effect of PA on cognitive performance remains unclear neither

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