Mei Yeh Wang
Department of nursing Cardinal Tien Junior College of Healthcare and Management,Taiwan
Title: The association between cognitive function and leisure–time physical activity among the middle–aged and elderly people
Biography
Biography: Mei Yeh Wang
Abstract
Preventing and/or delaying cognitive impairment has become a major public health concern in many countries. Physical activity has been documented as having beneficial effects to alleviate the negative impact of age-related cognitive decline. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of leisures–time physical activity in relation to cognitive function. Methods: This study was based on data from the Taiwan Longitudinal Study in Aging. A total of 3585 of middle–aged and older people aged 57–85 were assessed (mean: 70.59, SD: 7.78). Results: Frequency of physical activity significantly predicted cognitive level after adjustment of age, gender, educational level, depressive level, and health risk behavior (i.e., smoking and drinking). Participants engaging in physical activity at least for 1–2 time per week had significantly better cognitive level than sedentary participants. In paticipants aged 57–65 (n=1149), individuals engaging in physical activity for 6 more time per week had significantly better cognitive level than sedentary individuals. Cognitive level of sedentary individuals did no differ from individuals who had physical activity for 1–2 time or 3–5 time per week. Similar finding was found in paticipants aged 66–85 (n=2436),individuals engaging in physical activity were associated with better cognitive level compared with sedentary individuals. However, there were no differences in cognitive level among groups of individuals engaging in physical activity according to frequency. Conclusion : This general population–based study suggests that participation in leisure–time physical activity promoted cognitive level among the middle–aged and elderly people.