Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Association between Accelerometer-Measured Light-Intensity Physical Activity and Cognitive Function in Older Adults

  • Brief Report
  • Published:
The journal of nutrition, health & aging

Abstract

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate whether accelerometer-measured light physical activity (LPA) is associated with cognitive function and whether engaging in ≥3 h/day of LPA can reduce the chance of cognitive impairment among a sample of older adults in Taiwan.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

An outpatient department in a medical center.

Participants

Participants were community-dwelling older adults aged 65 years and older who were able to walk independently from September 2020 to March 2021.

Measurements

A tri-axial accelerometer was used to measure LPA for 7 consecutive days, and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scale was used to assess the chance of cognitive impairment. Multiple linear regression model and binary logistic regression model were performed to examine the association between LPA and MMSE scores.

Results

145 older Taiwanese adults (51.7% men; 81.2±6.8 years; 6.9% at chance of cognitive impairment) were included. After adjusting for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and wear time, we found that there was a significant association between LPA and cognitive function (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.64–1.65; P<0.001), and further found that those who engaged in LPA ≥3 h/ day were at reduced chance of cognitive impairment compared with people who engaged in LPA <3 h/day (odds ratio [OR]: 0.16; 95% CI: 0.03–0.80; P=0.025).

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that engaging in LPA ≥3 h/day could be viewed as a protective factor for maintaining cognitive function in older adults. We recommend further longitudinal research to elucidate the association between intensity-specific LPA and cognitive function.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Alzheimer’s Disease International. Dementia statistics. 2020. https://www.alzint.org/about/dementia-facts-figures/dementia-statistics/ Accessed 15 June 2021

  2. World Health Organization. WHO guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour 2020 https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240015128. Accessed 15 June 2021

  3. Livingston G, Huntley J, Sommerlad A, Ames D, Ballard C, Banerjee S, et al. Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2020 report of the Lancet Commission. Lancet. 2020;396(10248):413–46, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30367-6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. O’Brien MW, Kimmerly DS, Mekari S. Greater habitual moderate-to-vigorous physical activity is associated with better executive function and higher prefrontal oxygenation in older adults. GeroScience. 2021, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-021-00391-5.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Tse ACY, Wong TWL, Lee PH. Effect of Low-intensity Exercise on Physical and Cognitive Health in Older Adults: a Systematic Review. Sports Medicine — Open. 2015;1(1):37, https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-015-0034-8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Amagasa S, Machida M, Fukushima N, Kikuchi H, Takamiya T, Odagiri Y, et al. Is objectively measured light-intensity physical activity associated with health outcomes after adjustment for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in adults? A systematic review. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. 2018;15(1):65, https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-018-0695-z.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Gothe NP. Examining the effects of light versus moderate to vigorous physical activity on cognitive function in African American adults. Aging & Mental Health. 2021;25(9):1659–65, https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2020.1768216.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Erlenbach E, McAuley E, Gothe NP. The Association Between Light Physical Activity and Cognition Among Adults: A Scoping Review. The Journals of Gerontology: Series A. 2021;76(4):716–24, https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glab013.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Ku P-W, Hamer M, Liao Y, Hsueh M-C, Chen L-J. Device-measured light-intensity physical activity and mortality: A meta-analysis. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports. 2020;30(1):13–24, https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.13557.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Dyrstad SM, Hansen BH, Holme IM, Anderssen SA. Comparison of self-reported versus accelerometer-measured physical activity. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2014;46(1):99–106, https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0b013e3182a0595f.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Folstein MF, Folstein SE, McHugh PR. “Mini-mental state”: A practical method for grading the cognitive state of patients for the clinician. Journal of Psychiatric Research. 1975;12(3):189–98, https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-3956(75)90026-6.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Tsai J-C, Chen C-W, Chu H, Yang H-L, Chung M-H, Liao Y-M, et al. Comparing the Sensitivity, Specificity, and Predictive Values of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and Mini-Mental State Examination When Screening People for Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia in Chinese Population. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing. 2016;30(4):486–91, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apnu.2016.01.015.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Guo N, Liu H, Wong P, Liao K, Yan S, Lin K, et al. Chinese version and norms of the Mini-Mental State Examination. Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine Association. 1988;16(52):e59, https://www.airitilibrary.com/Publication/alDetailedMesh?DocID=10253009-198812-x-16-52-59-a. Accessed 15 June 2021.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Troiano RP, Berrigan D, Dodd KW, MÂSse LC, Tilert T, McDowell M. Physical Activity in the United States Measured by Accelerometer. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 2008;40(1), https://doi.org/10.1249/mss.0b013e31815a51b3.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Migueles JH, Cadenas-Sanchez C, Ekelund U, Delisle Nyström C, Mora-Gonzalez J, Löf M, et al. Accelerometer Data Collection and Processing Criteria to Assess Physical Activity and Other Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Practical Considerations. Sports Medicine. 2017;47(9):1821–45, https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-017-0716-0.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Health Promotion Administration. New Guidelines on Daily Nutrition: Health Promotion Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare: Taipei, Taiwan; 2018. https://www.hpa.gov.tw/Pages/EBook.aspx?nodeid=1208. Accessed 15 June 2021

  17. Rojer AGM, Ramsey KA, Amaral Gomes ES, D’Andrea L, Chen C, Szoeke C, et al. Objectively assessed physical activity and sedentary behavior and global cognitive function in older adults: a systematic review. Mechanisms of Ageing and Development. 2021:111524, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mad.2021.111524.

  18. Ku P-W, Steptoe A, Liao Y, Hsueh M-C, Chen L-J. A Threshold of Objectively-Assessed Daily Sedentary Time for All-Cause Mortality in Older Adults: A Meta-Regression of Prospective Cohort Studies. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2019;8(4):564, https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm8040564.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Camacho-Conde JA, Galán-López JM. Depression and Cognitive Impairment in Institutionalized Older Adults. Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord. 2020;49(1):107–20, https://doi.org/10.1159/000508626.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Laudisio A, Antonelli Incalzi R, Gemma A, Marzetti E, Pozzi G, Padua L, et al. Definition of a Geriatric Depression Scale cutoff based upon quality of life: a population-based study. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. 2018;33(1):e58–e64, https://doi.org/10.1002/gps.4715.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Faul F, Erdfelder E, Buchner A, Lang AG. Statistical power analyses using G*Power 3.1: tests for correlation and regression analyses. Behavior Research Methods. 2009;41(4):1149–60, https://doi.org/10.3758/brm.4L4.1149.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Prajapati B, Dunne M, Armstrong R. Sample size estimation and statistical power analyses. Optometry today. 2010;16(7):10–8.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Stubbs B, Chen L-J, Chang C-Y, Sun W-J, Ku P-W. Accelerometer-assessed light physical activity is protective of future cognitive ability: A longitudinal study among community dwelling older adults. Experimental Gerontology. 2017;91:104-, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2017.03.003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Doi T, Makizako H, Shimada H, Tsutsumimoto K, Hotta R, Nakakubo S, et al. Objectively measured physical activity, brain atrophy, and white matter lesions in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. Experimental Gerontology. 2015;62:1–6, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2014.12.011.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Spartano NL, Davis-Plourde KL, Himali JJ, Andersson C, Pase MP, Maillard P, et al. Association of Accelerometer-Measured Light-Intensity Physical Activity With Brain Volume: The Framingham Heart Study. JAMA Netw Open. 2019;2(4):e192745, https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.2745.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Fields RD. Change in the Brain’s White Matter. Science. 2010;330(6005):768, https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1199139.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Bartzokis G, Lu PH, Tingus K, Mendez MF, Richard A, Peters DG, et al. Lifespan trajectory of myelin integrity and maximum motor speed. Neurobiology of Aging. 2010;31(9):1554–62, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2008.08.015.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Sanfilippo C, Musumeci G, Castrogiovanni P, Fazio F, Li Volti G, Barbagallo I, et al. Hippocampal transcriptome deconvolution reveals differences in cell architecture of not demented elderly subjects underwent late-life physical activity. Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy. 2021;113:101934, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jchemneu.2021.101934.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Nicaise C, Marneffe C, Bouchat J, Gilloteaux J. Osmotic Demyelination: From an Oligodendrocyte to an Astrocyte Perspective. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2019;20(5):1124, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20051124.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Cassarino M, O’Sullivan V, Kenny RA, Setti A. Environment and cognitive aging: a cross-sectional study of place of residence and cognitive performance in the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing. Neuropsychology. 2015;30(5):543–57, https://doi.org/10.1037/neu0000253.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors appreciated all participants who attended in this study. Dr Ming-Chun Hsueh received a personal grant from the Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan (MOST 109-2410-H-845-037-MY2). Dr Yung Liao received personal grants from the Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan (MOST 110-2410-H-003-116). The Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan was not involved in the study design, data collection, analysis, and interpretation or writing of the manuscript.

Funding

Funding: This research and the APC was funded by Ministry of Science and Technology of Taiwan (MOST 110-2410-H-003-116 and MOST 109-2410-H-845-037-MY2).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health Promotion and Health Education, College of Education, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan

    C. Hsiao

  2. Department of Geriatrics and Gerontology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan

    C.-J. Wen

  3. School of Gerontology Health Management, College of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan

    H.-Y. Yen

  4. Graduate Institute of Sport Pedagogy, University of Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.

    Ming-Chun Hsueh

  5. Faculty of Sport Sciences, Waseda University, Tokorozawa, Japan

    Y. Liao

  6. Graduate Institute of Sport, Leisure and Hospitality Management, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan

    Y. Liao

  7. Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan

    C.-J. Wen

Authors
  1. C. Hsiao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. C.-J. Wen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. H.-Y. Yen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Ming-Chun Hsueh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Y. Liao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

Chi Hsiao: Writing- original draft, formal analysis. Chiung-Jung Wen: Writing- review & editing. Hsin-Yen Yen: Writing- review & editing. Ming-Chun Hsueh: Funding acquisition, Writing- review & editing. Yung Liao: Conceptualization, Writing- review & editing, Funding acquisition, Supervision.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ming-Chun Hsueh.

Ethics declarations

This study has been performed in accordance with the principles stated in the Declaration of Helsinki. After the participants were asked to sign an informed consent contract, the study began to conduct. The procedure in this study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the National Taiwan University Hospital (REC number: 202008046RINC).

Additional information

Conflict of interest

The author reports no conflicts of interest in this work.

Electronic Supplementary Material

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Hsiao, C., Wen, CJ., Yen, HY. et al. Association between Accelerometer-Measured Light-Intensity Physical Activity and Cognitive Function in Older Adults. J Nutr Health Aging 26, 230–235 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-022-1749-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-022-1749-0

Key words

Search

Navigation