1. Physical exercise and cognitive function across the life span: Results of a nationwide population-based study.
- Author
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Gaertner B, Buttery AK, Finger JD, Wolfsgruber S, Wagner M, and Busch MA
- Subjects
- Adolescent, Adult, Age Factors, Aged, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Humans, Linear Models, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Middle Aged, Neuropsychological Tests, Population Surveillance, Prospective Studies, Self Report, Young Adult, Cognition physiology, Cognitive Aging, Executive Function physiology, Exercise, Longevity, Memory physiology
- Abstract
Objectives: To examine cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between physical exercise and cognitive function across different age groups in a nationwide population-based sample of adults aged 18-79 years in Germany., Design: Cross-sectional/prospective., Methods: Cognitive function was assessed in the mental health module of the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults (DEGS1-MH, 2009-2012, n=3535), using a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery. Cognitive domain scores for executive function and memory were derived from confirmatory factor analysis. Regular physical exercise in the last three months was assessed by self-report and defined as no exercise, <2 and ≥2h (hours) of exercise per week. A subgroup of DEGS1-MH participants who previously participated in the German National Health Interview and Examination Survey 1998 (GNHIES98, 1997-1999, n=1624) enabled longitudinal analyses with a mean follow-up of 12.4 years., Results: Compared to no exercise, more weekly physical exercise was associated with better executive function in cross-sectional (<2h: β=0.12; ≥2h: β=0.17; all p<0.001) and longitudinal analyses (<2h: β=0.14, p<0.001; ≥2h: β=0.15, p=0.001) using linear regression models adjusted for age, sex, education, smoking, alcohol consumption, fruit and vegetable consumption and obesity. Slightly weaker associations were found for memory in cross-sectional (<2h: β=0.08, p=0.009; ≥2h: β=0.08, p=0.026) and longitudinal analysis (<2h: β=0.09, p=0.036; ≥2h: β=0.08, p=0.114). There was no evidence of interaction between physical exercise and age., Conclusions: Higher levels of physical exercise were associated with better executive function and memory in cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses with no evidence for differential effects by age., (Copyright © 2017 Sports Medicine Australia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2018
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