Exploring active travel and leisure-time physical activity relationships with cognition among older adults

Madhura Phansikar, Sean P. Mullen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) is known to benefit cognition among older adults, but the impact of active travel is unclear. To explore this relationship, data from the 2011-2014 National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (N = 2,702; mean age = 70) were retrieved on the self-reported frequency and duration of active travel (walking/cycling for transport, >20 min), LTPA engagement (e.g., sport), and three cognitive outcomes. Four groups were created according to physical activity guidelines (600 metabolic equivalent of task/week): inactive (n = 1,790), active travelers (n = 210), engaging in LTPA (n = 579), and engaging in both (n = 123). Analysis of covariance (and follow-up comparisons) revealed a significant main effect for each cognition variable, after adjusting for the covariates, indicating that those engaging in LTPA performed the best. Although correlational, these findings suggest that LTPA engagement may be important for cognition among older adults, but active travel did not provide added benefit.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)580-587
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Aging and Physical Activity
Volume28
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2020

Keywords

  • Active commute
  • Active transport
  • Executive function
  • Exercise
  • Memory

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
  • Rehabilitation
  • Gerontology
  • Geriatrics and Gerontology

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