Late-life physical activity, midlife-to-late-life activity patterns, APOE ε4 genotype, and cognitive impairment among Chinese older adults: a population-based observational study

Abstract Background Although physical activity (PA) has been linked to cognitive health, the nuanced relationships between different dimensions of PA and cognitive impairment remain inconclusive. This study investigated associations between late-life PA levels, midlife-to-late-life activity patterns...

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Main Authors: Xunying Zhao, Xueyao Wu, Tianpei Ma, Jinyu Xiao, Xin Chen, Mingshuang Tang, Li Zhang, Tao Zhang, Mengyu Fan, Jiaqiang Liao, Ben Zhang, Xia Jiang, Jiayuan Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-01-01
Series:International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-024-01691-7
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author Xunying Zhao
Xueyao Wu
Tianpei Ma
Jinyu Xiao
Xin Chen
Mingshuang Tang
Li Zhang
Tao Zhang
Mengyu Fan
Jiaqiang Liao
Ben Zhang
Xia Jiang
Jiayuan Li
author_facet Xunying Zhao
Xueyao Wu
Tianpei Ma
Jinyu Xiao
Xin Chen
Mingshuang Tang
Li Zhang
Tao Zhang
Mengyu Fan
Jiaqiang Liao
Ben Zhang
Xia Jiang
Jiayuan Li
author_sort Xunying Zhao
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Although physical activity (PA) has been linked to cognitive health, the nuanced relationships between different dimensions of PA and cognitive impairment remain inconclusive. This study investigated associations between late-life PA levels, midlife-to-late-life activity patterns, and cognitive impairment in Chinese older adults, considering potential moderation by apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 genotype. Methods We analyzed baseline data from 6,899 participants (median age 68 years, 55.78% female) in the West China Health and Aging Cohort study, with 6,575 participants having APOE genotyping data. Late-life PA and midlife-to-late-life activity patterns were assessed using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire and a standardized question, respectively. Cognitive function was evaluated using the Chinese version of Mini-Mental State Examination. Logistic regression models were used to examine associations. Results Compared to low PA level, moderate (odds ratio [OR] = 0.74, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.55 ~ 0.99) and high PA levels (OR = 0.60, 95%CI = 0.48 ~ 0.75) were associated with lower risk of cognitive impairment. Engaging in work-, transport-, recreation-related, and moderate-intensity PA were each significantly associated with lower cognitive impairment risk. Maintaining activity levels from midlife to late life was associated with lower cognitive impairment risk compared to decreasing levels (OR = 0.75, 95%CI = 0.60 ~ 0.94). These associations were more pronounced in APOE ε4 non-carriers, with an interaction observed between APOE ε4 genotype and recreation-related PA (P-value = 0.04). Conclusions Our findings underscore the multifaceted benefits of PA in mitigating cognitive impairment risk among older Chinese adults. Public health strategies should focus on promoting overall late-life PA levels, especially moderate-intensity PA, and maintaining activity levels comparable to midlife, with potential for personalized interventions based on genetic risk profiles.
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spelling doaj-art-29fe871d3b6243e2b6aa7c99623be6d02025-01-12T12:40:12ZengBMCInternational Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity1479-58682025-01-0122111210.1186/s12966-024-01691-7Late-life physical activity, midlife-to-late-life activity patterns, APOE ε4 genotype, and cognitive impairment among Chinese older adults: a population-based observational studyXunying Zhao0Xueyao Wu1Tianpei Ma2Jinyu Xiao3Xin Chen4Mingshuang Tang5Li Zhang6Tao Zhang7Mengyu Fan8Jiaqiang Liao9Ben Zhang10Xia Jiang11Jiayuan Li12Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics and West China Institute of Preventive and Medical Integration for Major Diseases, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan UniversityDepartment of Epidemiology and Health Statistics and West China Institute of Preventive and Medical Integration for Major Diseases, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan UniversityDepartment of Epidemiology and Health Statistics and West China Institute of Preventive and Medical Integration for Major Diseases, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan UniversityDepartment of Epidemiology and Health Statistics and West China Institute of Preventive and Medical Integration for Major Diseases, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan UniversityDepartment of Epidemiology and Health Statistics and West China Institute of Preventive and Medical Integration for Major Diseases, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan UniversityDepartment of Epidemiology and Health Statistics and West China Institute of Preventive and Medical Integration for Major Diseases, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan UniversityDepartment of Epidemiology and Health Statistics and West China Institute of Preventive and Medical Integration for Major Diseases, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan UniversityDepartment of Epidemiology and Health Statistics and West China Institute of Preventive and Medical Integration for Major Diseases, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan UniversityDepartment of Epidemiology and Health Statistics and West China Institute of Preventive and Medical Integration for Major Diseases, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan UniversityDepartment of Epidemiology and Health Statistics and West China Institute of Preventive and Medical Integration for Major Diseases, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan UniversityDepartment of Epidemiology and Health Statistics and West China Institute of Preventive and Medical Integration for Major Diseases, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan UniversityDepartment of Epidemiology and Health Statistics and West China Institute of Preventive and Medical Integration for Major Diseases, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan UniversityDepartment of Epidemiology and Health Statistics and West China Institute of Preventive and Medical Integration for Major Diseases, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan UniversityAbstract Background Although physical activity (PA) has been linked to cognitive health, the nuanced relationships between different dimensions of PA and cognitive impairment remain inconclusive. This study investigated associations between late-life PA levels, midlife-to-late-life activity patterns, and cognitive impairment in Chinese older adults, considering potential moderation by apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 genotype. Methods We analyzed baseline data from 6,899 participants (median age 68 years, 55.78% female) in the West China Health and Aging Cohort study, with 6,575 participants having APOE genotyping data. Late-life PA and midlife-to-late-life activity patterns were assessed using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire and a standardized question, respectively. Cognitive function was evaluated using the Chinese version of Mini-Mental State Examination. Logistic regression models were used to examine associations. Results Compared to low PA level, moderate (odds ratio [OR] = 0.74, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.55 ~ 0.99) and high PA levels (OR = 0.60, 95%CI = 0.48 ~ 0.75) were associated with lower risk of cognitive impairment. Engaging in work-, transport-, recreation-related, and moderate-intensity PA were each significantly associated with lower cognitive impairment risk. Maintaining activity levels from midlife to late life was associated with lower cognitive impairment risk compared to decreasing levels (OR = 0.75, 95%CI = 0.60 ~ 0.94). These associations were more pronounced in APOE ε4 non-carriers, with an interaction observed between APOE ε4 genotype and recreation-related PA (P-value = 0.04). Conclusions Our findings underscore the multifaceted benefits of PA in mitigating cognitive impairment risk among older Chinese adults. Public health strategies should focus on promoting overall late-life PA levels, especially moderate-intensity PA, and maintaining activity levels comparable to midlife, with potential for personalized interventions based on genetic risk profiles.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-024-01691-7Physical activityCognitive impairmentCognitive agingAPOE ε4 genotypeOlder people
spellingShingle Xunying Zhao
Xueyao Wu
Tianpei Ma
Jinyu Xiao
Xin Chen
Mingshuang Tang
Li Zhang
Tao Zhang
Mengyu Fan
Jiaqiang Liao
Ben Zhang
Xia Jiang
Jiayuan Li
Late-life physical activity, midlife-to-late-life activity patterns, APOE ε4 genotype, and cognitive impairment among Chinese older adults: a population-based observational study
International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity
Physical activity
Cognitive impairment
Cognitive aging
APOE ε4 genotype
Older people
title Late-life physical activity, midlife-to-late-life activity patterns, APOE ε4 genotype, and cognitive impairment among Chinese older adults: a population-based observational study
title_full Late-life physical activity, midlife-to-late-life activity patterns, APOE ε4 genotype, and cognitive impairment among Chinese older adults: a population-based observational study
title_fullStr Late-life physical activity, midlife-to-late-life activity patterns, APOE ε4 genotype, and cognitive impairment among Chinese older adults: a population-based observational study
title_full_unstemmed Late-life physical activity, midlife-to-late-life activity patterns, APOE ε4 genotype, and cognitive impairment among Chinese older adults: a population-based observational study
title_short Late-life physical activity, midlife-to-late-life activity patterns, APOE ε4 genotype, and cognitive impairment among Chinese older adults: a population-based observational study
title_sort late life physical activity midlife to late life activity patterns apoe ε4 genotype and cognitive impairment among chinese older adults a population based observational study
topic Physical activity
Cognitive impairment
Cognitive aging
APOE ε4 genotype
Older people
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-024-01691-7
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