Reas ET, et al. - In this cross-sectional study, investigators assessed 1,826 community-dwelling men and women in southern California aged 60–99 years who attended a research visit in 1988–1992 to identify associations between physical activity throughout the lifespan and cognitive function in older age. They observed improved cognitive function in those who had partook in regular physical activity regardless of intensity. They also observed that physical activity in teenage years had a positive, protective benefit against age-related decline in executive function.

Methods

• The investigators recorded reports on the physical activity of study participants who underwent cognitive testing at an older age at the following time points: teenage years, age 30 years, age 50 years, and during the study period.
• They classified individuals as regularly active (3 or more times/week) or inactive for each time-point.

Results

• They observed that regular physical activity was linked to better cognitive function, with physical activity at older ages indicating the strongest associations.
• They also observed an association of physical activity with better global cognitive function, executive function, and episodic memory in older age, irrespective of intensity.
• They found that intense physical activity in teenage years was related with better late-life global cognitive function in females.
• Those who were active at both periods of life were observed with better performance than those active at only one period.
• They noted the similar patterns of associations after excluding candidates with poor health.