Relationship between Physical Activity and Cognitive Function in the Elderly.
10.4235/jkgs.2011.15.2.90
- Author:
Jae Seok SEO
1
;
Sang Hyun KOH
;
Yunhwan LEE
;
Joung Hwan BACK
;
Jai Sung NOH
;
Hyun Chung KIM
;
Chang Hyung HONG
Author Information
1. Department of Psychiatry, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea. antiaging@ajou.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Physical activity;
Cognition;
Elderly
- MeSH:
Aged;
Anxiety;
Cognition;
Cohort Studies;
Depression;
Humans;
Logistic Models;
Motor Activity;
Surveys and Questionnaires
- From:Journal of the Korean Geriatrics Society
2011;15(2):90-98
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Physical activity is considered an effective non-pharmaceutical preventive measure against cognitive impairment. This study was designed to investigate the correlation between physical activity and cognitive function. METHODS: Subjects were recruited from the Suwon Project, a cohort comprising a nonrandom convenience sample of ethnic Koreans aged 60 years or older. All participants completed study questionnaires which included questions about demographic characteristics, current and/or past medical history, and drug history. Cognitive functions were evaluated using the Korean version of Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE), Korean version of Short Form Geriatric Depression Scale and Beck Anxiety Inventory. The total time spent to complete 10 physical activities was recorded on a daily basis. RESULTS: The total amount of time spent to execute 10 physical activities was 91.9+/-98.9 minutes per day. K-MMSE score was significantly associated with the duration of physical activity after adjustment for age, sex, educational level, depression, anxiety, and underlying diseases using multiple logistic regression analysis (beta=0.002, p<0.05). Categorizing physical activities into three groups by intensity yielded an interesting result; moderate intensity group demonstrated a direct correlation with cognitive function (beta=0.002, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Although much remains to be elucidated, our results suggest that physical activity may be associated with cognitive function, after controlling for covariates.
