Allison A M Bielak1, Nicolas Cherbuin2, David Bunce3, Kaarin J Anstey2. 1. Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Colorado State University, Fort Collins. allison.bielak@colostate.edu. 2. Centre for Research on Ageing, Health and Wellbeing, The Australian National University, Canberra. 3. Institute of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: A critical question in the activity engagement literature is whether physical exercise alters the trajectory of age-related cognitive decline (differential preservation) or is associated with enhanced baseline cognitive ability (preserved differentiation). Further, investigations considering that these relations may differ across young, middle, and older adulthood are rare. METHOD: We evaluated data from the PATH Through Life Project, where participants aged 20-24, 40-44, and 60-64 years at baseline (n = 6,869) completed physical activity (PA; mild, moderate, and vigorous) and cognitive measurements thrice over 8 years. RESULTS: Multilevel models accounting for employment status, sex, education, health, and mental and social activity showed that between-person differences in PA participation positively predicted baseline performance on fluid cognitive ability (perceptual speed, short-term memory, working memory, and episodic memory). These effects were similar across age groups, but strongest for the youngest cohort, for whom there was also evidence of covariation between within-person change in PA and cognitive score. PA was not associated with change in cognition over time. DISCUSSION: Results support preserved differentiation, where physically active adults have higher initial cognitive ability, and the advantage is maintained over time. PA appears to be unique in showing differences across young, middle, and older adulthood in predicting cognition.
OBJECTIVES: A critical question in the activity engagement literature is whether physical exercise alters the trajectory of age-related cognitive decline (differential preservation) or is associated with enhanced baseline cognitive ability (preserved differentiation). Further, investigations considering that these relations may differ across young, middle, and older adulthood are rare. METHOD: We evaluated data from the PATH Through Life Project, where participants aged 20-24, 40-44, and 60-64 years at baseline (n = 6,869) completed physical activity (PA; mild, moderate, and vigorous) and cognitive measurements thrice over 8 years. RESULTS: Multilevel models accounting for employment status, sex, education, health, and mental and social activity showed that between-person differences in PA participation positively predicted baseline performance on fluid cognitive ability (perceptual speed, short-term memory, working memory, and episodic memory). These effects were similar across age groups, but strongest for the youngest cohort, for whom there was also evidence of covariation between within-person change in PA and cognitive score. PA was not associated with change in cognition over time. DISCUSSION: Results support preserved differentiation, where physically active adults have higher initial cognitive ability, and the advantage is maintained over time. PA appears to be unique in showing differences across young, middle, and older adulthood in predicting cognition.
Authors: Jieun Song; Marsha R Mailick; Jan S Greenberg; Carol D Ryff; Margie E Lachman Journal: J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci Date: 2015-03-24 Impact factor: 4.077
Authors: Nicole M Armstrong; Sarah E Tom; Amal Harrati; Kaitlin Casaletto; Judy Pa; Miguel Arce Rentería; Yian Gu; Kumar B Rajan; Nicole Schupf; Robert Fieo; Jennifer Weuve; Eleanor M Simonsick; Jennifer J Manly; Yaakov Stern; Laura B Zahodne Journal: Gerontologist Date: 2022-03-28
Authors: Sean A P Clouston; Dylan M Smith; Soumyadeep Mukherjee; Yun Zhang; Wei Hou; Bruce G Link; Marcus Richards Journal: J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci Date: 2020-08-13 Impact factor: 4.077
Authors: Sarah L Nizamuddin; Junaid Nizamuddin; Usman Latif; Avery Tung; Jerome M Klafta; Sang M Lee; Cindy M Ku; David L Stahl; Jason Lee; Sajid S Shahul Journal: J Educ Perioper Med Date: 2020-04-01