Relationships of accelerometer-based measured objective physical activity and sedentary behaviour with cognitive function: a comparative cross-sectional study of China’s elderly population

• Main Authors: Zhi-jian Wu, Zhu-ying Wang, Bing-qian Hu, Xu-hui Zhang, Fan Zhang, Hou-lei Wang, Fang-hui Li
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2020-04-01
• Series: BMC Geriatrics
• Subjects: Accelerometer; Elderly population; Physical activity; Cognitive ability
• Online Access: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12877-020-01521-y

Abstract Background This study explored the effects of physical activity and sedentary behaviour on the decline of cognitive ability among the elderly. To compensate for the limitations of self-reported physical activity, objective measures were used. Methods A cross-sectional survey of 308 aged people mean 68.66 ± 5.377 years, in Nanjing, China, was conducted. Physical activity was measured using the ActiGraph GT3X+, and cognitive function was measured using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Results The overall participant model, adjusted for age, BMI, education, and monthly average income, found that light physical activity (β = 0.006, p < 0.01), moderate-vigorous physical activity (β = 0.068, p < 0.001), and total physical activity (β = 0.006, p < 0.01) had a significant linear relationship with cognitive ability, while sedentary time did not (β = − 0.020, p>0.05). Further, light physical activity only affects the cognitive ability of elderly females (β = 0.006, p < 0.05). There was an inverted ‘U’ association between moderate-vigorous physical activity and cognitive ability. The association models found that moderate-vigorous physical activity in the 22.13 min·day− 1~38.79 min·day− 1 range affected cognitive ability most beneficially, with the highest beta coefficient among all groups (β = 0.091, p < 0.05). Conclusions While physical activity can significantly improve cognitive ability among the elderly, sedentary behaviour is associated with decreased cognitive function across genders.