Social Science of Sport Research Center, China Institute of Sport Science, Beijing, China.
Mental Health Center, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.
JMIR Public Health Surveill. 2024 May 30;10:e49790. doi: 10.2196/49790.
The existing literature reveals several significant knowledge gaps that hinder health care providers in formulating exercise prescriptions for cognitive health.
This study endeavors to elucidate the relationship between the level of physical activity and cognitive function in older adults in China. Moreover, it seeks to explore the associations between distinct exercise behaviors-such as exercise types, the purpose motivating engagement in exercise, the accessibility of exercise fields, and the inclination toward exercise-and cognitive function.
Using data from the China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (CLASS conducted in 2016, cognitive function was meticulously assessed through the modified Chinese version of the Mini-Mental State Examination, encompassing measures of orientation, memory, and calculation. Using self-report structured questionnaires, a myriad of information about physical activity during leisure time, exercise engagement, exercise intensity, primary exercise types, reasons for exercise participation, availability of sports facilities, and exercise willingness was diligently gathered. Robust ordinary least squares regression models were then used to compute coefficients along with 95% CIs.
A discernible inverted U-shaped trend in cognitive scores emerged as the level of physical activity surpassed the threshold of 500 metabolic equivalents of task (MET) minutes per week. Notably, individuals with a physical activity level between 500 and 999 MET minutes per week exhibited a coefficient of 0.31 (95% CI 0.09 to 0.54), those with a physical activity level between 1000 and 1499 MET minutes per week displayed a coefficient of 0.75 (95% CI 0.52 to 0.97), and those with a physical activity level above 1500 MET minutes per week demonstrated a coefficient of 0.45 (95% CI 0.23 to 0.68). Older individuals engaging in exercise at specific MET levels showcased superior cognitive function compared to their inactive counterparts. Furthermore, individuals driven by exercise motivations aimed at enhancing physical fitness and health, as well as those using sports facilities or public spaces for exercise, exhibited notably higher cognitive function scores.
The findings underscore the potential of exercise as a targeted intervention for the prevention and treatment of dementia or cognitive decline associated with aging in older individuals. Leveraging these insights to formulate informed exercise recommendations holds promise in addressing a significant public health challenge linked to aging populations.
现有文献揭示了一些重大的知识空白，这些空白阻碍了医疗保健提供者为认知健康制定运动处方。
本研究旨在阐明中国老年人身体活动水平与认知功能之间的关系。此外，还探讨了不同运动行为（如运动类型、参与运动的动机、运动场地的可及性以及运动倾向）与认知功能之间的关系。
使用中国纵向老龄化社会调查（CLASS）2016 年的数据，通过改良的中文版简易精神状态检查对认知功能进行了细致评估，包括定向力、记忆力和计算力的测量。使用自我报告的结构化问卷，详细收集了闲暇时间身体活动、运动参与、运动强度、主要运动类型、运动参与原因、体育设施可用性和运动意愿等方面的信息。然后使用稳健的普通最小二乘回归模型计算系数及其 95%置信区间。
当身体活动水平超过每周 500 代谢当量任务（MET）分钟的阈值时，认知评分出现了明显的倒 U 形趋势。值得注意的是，每周身体活动水平在 500 至 999 MET 分钟之间的个体的系数为 0.31（95%置信区间 0.09 至 0.54），每周身体活动水平在 1000 至 1499 MET 分钟之间的个体的系数为 0.75（95%置信区间 0.52 至 0.97），每周身体活动水平超过 1500 MET 分钟的个体的系数为 0.45（95%置信区间 0.23 至 0.68）。与不运动的个体相比，特定 MET 水平下进行运动的老年人表现出更好的认知功能。此外，以增强身体健康和健康为动机进行运动的个体，以及使用体育设施或公共空间进行运动的个体，其认知功能评分明显更高。
这些发现强调了运动作为一种有针对性的干预措施，可用于预防和治疗与老年人衰老相关的痴呆或认知能力下降。利用这些见解制定明智的运动建议有望解决与老龄化人口相关的重大公共卫生挑战。
