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Components of Late-Life Exercise and Cognitive Function: an 8-Year Longitudinal Study

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Abstract

The preventive effect of late-life physical exercise on cognitive deterioration has been reported in many cohort studies. However, the effect of exercise, independent of other cognitively demanding and social activities, is equivocal and little is known about the relative contributions of frequency, intensity, and duration of exercise. This study aimed to examine the relationships of exercise and its underlying components with cognitive function and rate of cognitive change over an 8-year period in a nationally representative sample of older Taiwanese. Data from the 1999, 2003, and 2007 phases of the nationwide longitudinal survey were used. Data from a fixed cohort of 1,268 participants aged 70 years or older in 1999 with 8 years of follow-up were analyzed. Cognitive function was assessed using the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire. Self-reported frequency, intensity, and duration of exercise were collected. A generalized estimating equation with multivariate adjustment for sociodemographic variables, cognitive and social leisure activities, lifestyle behaviors, and health status was calculated. Participants who were physically active during leisure time had better subsequent cognitive function (incident rate ratios [IRR] = 0.63; 95 % CI, 0.54–0.75) and a slower rate of cognitive decline (p = 0.01). Among the components of exercise, only duration emerged as a predictor of cognitive function (p = 0.01). Older adults engaging in exercise for at least 30 min or more per session are likely to reduce the risk of subsequent cognitive decline. This research supports the case for physical exercise programs for older adults in order to help prevent loss of cognitive function.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by Taiwan National Science Council (Grant No.: 102-2410-H-018- 041-MY2). Professor Fox’s contribution was in part supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Oxford Biomedical Research Centre based at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust and University of Oxford. The analysis is based on original datasets provided by the Ministry of Health and Welfare in Taiwan. The interpretation and conclusions contained herein do not represent those of the Ministry of Health and Welfare. The authors would like to thank the institution for allowing them to access the datasets.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Correspondence to Po-Wen Ku.

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Chu, DC., Fox, K.R., Chen, LJ. et al. Components of Late-Life Exercise and Cognitive Function: an 8-Year Longitudinal Study. Prev Sci 16, 568–577 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-014-0509-8

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