Physical Activity Amount and Cognitive Impairment in Korean Elderly Population

Abstract

The relationship between physical activity amount and cognitive function in elderly Koreans has received little attention. This study therefore aimed to understand the independent and common link between cognitive function and physical activity levels among elderly Korean adults. This study recruited a total of 2746 elderly adults (1348 males and 1398 females). All participants were assessed for cognitive functioning using the Korean Dementia Screening Questionnaire Cognition (KDSQ-C). The computerized Korean version short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) used in this study was entirely based on the long, self-administered, usual week-long IPAQ found in the IPAQ manual of operation. In the unadjusted model, elderly adults who met the recommended level of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity were more likely to have a sufficient level of cognitive function. Hemoglobin, creatinine, cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), LDL-C, and HDL-C differed significantly between groups. A negative correlation was found between KDSQ-C score and the moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) amount per week. Physical activity amount is associated with cognition function in Korean elderly adults. Increasing physical activity may improve hemoglobin and creatinine and be involved in improving serum lipid profiles in elderly adults. Thus, physical activity has been suggesting as a useful tool to reduce the risk of cognitive function associated with aging.