Physical Activity from Childhood to Adulthood and Cognitive Performance in Midlife

Abstract

The prevalence of cognitive deficits is increasing worldwide, making risk factor reduction a crucial target on the global public health agenda. Adulthood physical activity (PA) is suggested to protect against old-age cognitive deficits, but the independent role of childhood / youth PA for adulthood cognitive performance is unknown. PURPOSE: We investigated the association between PA from childhood to adulthood and midlife cognitive performance. METHODS: This study is a part of the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study. From 1980, a population-based cohort of 3,596 children (baseline age 3-18 years) have been followed-up for 31 years in 3-9-year intervals. PA was queried in all study phases. Cumulative PA was determined in childhood (age 6-12 years), adolescence (age 12-18 years), young adulthood (age 18-24 years) and adulthood (age 24-37 years). Cognitive performance was assessed using computerized neuropsychological test in 2011 among 2,026 participants aged 34-49 years. RESULTS: High PA level in childhood (β 0.119, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.055-0.182, p=0.0002), adolescence (β=0.125 SD, 95% CI 0.063-0.188, p<0.0001), young adulthood (β=0.135 SD, 95% CI 0.063-0.207, p=0.0002) and adulthood (β=0.045 SD, 95% CI 0.013-0.077, p=0.006) was independently associated with better reaction time in midlife. Additionally, an independent association between high PA level in young adulthood (β 0.101, 95% CI 0.001-0.200, p=0.048) and adulthood (β=0.064 SD, 95% CI 0.018-0.110, p=0.006) and better visual processing and sustained attention in midlife was found among men. Associations for other cognitive domains were not found. CONCLUSIONS: Cumulative exposure to PA from childhood to adulthood was found to be associated with better midlife reaction time both in men and women. Furthermore, cumulative PA exposure in young adulthood and adulthood was associated with better visual processing and sustained attention in men. These associations were independent of PA levels in other measured age frames. Therefore, physically active lifestyle should be adopted already in early childhood, and continued into midlife to ensure the plausible benefits of PA on midlife cognitive performance. Concluding, this study provides novel insight into cost-effective and well-timed promotion of cognitive health.