Physical activity pre- and post-dementia: English Longitudinal Study of Ageing

Soni, Mira; Orrell, Martin; Bandelow, Stephan; Steptoe, Andrew; Rafnsson, Snorri; d'Orsi, Eleonora; Xavier, Andre; Hogervorst, Eef

Abstract

Background: To inform public health interventions, further investigation is needed to identify: (1) frequency/intensity of everyday physical activity (PA) needed to reduce dementia risk; (2) whether post-diagnosis reduction in PA is associated with cognitive outcomes. Methods: Data from 11,391 men and women (aged ≥50) were obtained in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Assessments were at baseline (2002-2003) and biannual follow-ups (2004-2013).
Results: Older adults who carried out moderate to vigorous activity at least once per week had a 34%-50% lower risk for cognitive decline and dementia over an 8-10 year follow-up period. From pre- to post-diagnosis, those that decreased PA levels had a larger decrease in immediate recall score, compared to those that maintained or increased PA levels (adjusted for changes in physical function).
Conclusion: These findings provide a guideline for everyday PA levels needed to reduce risk for dementia. Reduction in PA after diagnosis was also associated with accelerated cognitive decline.

Citation

Soni, M., Orrell, M., Bandelow, S., Steptoe, A., Rafnsson, S., d'Orsi, E., Xavier, A., & Hogervorst, E. (in press). Physical activity pre- and post-dementia: English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Aging and Mental Health, https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2017.1390731

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 30, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Oct 17, 2017
• Deposit Date: Mar 2, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 18, 2018
• Journal: Aging and Mental Health
• Print ISSN: 1360-7863
• Electronic ISSN: 1364-6915
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2017.1390731
• Keywords: Alzheimer’s Disease, Other Dementias, Epidemiology (Dementia), Physical Activity, Cognitive Functioning
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/887943
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2017.1390731
• Contract Date: Mar 2, 2018