The effects of physical activity and sedentary behavior on cognitive health in older adults

Physical activity has been shown to be positively associated with cognitive health, but the mechanisms underlying the benefits of physical activity on cognitive health are unclear. The present study simultaneously examined two hypotheses using structural equation modeling (SEM). The depression-reduc...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of aging and physical activity 2005-07, Vol.13 (3), p.294-313
Main Authors: Vance, David E, Wadley, Virginia G, Ball, Karlene K, Roenker, Daniel L, Rizzo, Matthew
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Central nervous system
Chi-Square Distribution
Cognition Disorders - diagnosis
Cognition Disorders - psychology
Cognitive ability
Cognitive functioning
Cognitive-behavioral factors
Depression - diagnosis
Depression - psychology
Exercise
Exercise - psychology
Female
Geriatric Assessment
Health behavior
Health status
Humans
Life Style
Male
Mental depression
Nervous system
Older people
Physical activity
Sedentary
Sedentary behavior
Social Support
Stimulation
Structural equation modeling
Surveys and Questionnaires
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Summary:Physical activity has been shown to be positively associated with cognitive health, but the mechanisms underlying the benefits of physical activity on cognitive health are unclear. The present study simultaneously examined two hypotheses using structural equation modeling (SEM). The depression-reduction hypothesis states that depression suppresses cognitive ability and that physical activity alleviates dysphoric mood and thereby improves cognitive ability. The social-stimulation hypothesis posits that social contact, which is often facilitated by socially laden physical activities, improves cognitive functioning by stimulating the nervous system. Sedentary behavior in the absence of physical activity is expected to exert an inverse relationship on cognitive health through each of these hypotheses. Community-dwelling elders (N = 158) were administered a variety of measures of cognition, depression, social support, and physical activity. SEM techniques provided partial support for the social-stimulation hypothesis and depression-reduction hypothesis. Implications for treating depression and improving cognitive functioning are discussed.
ISSN:1063-8652
1543-267X
DOI:10.1123/japa.13.3.294