The association between cognitive function and leisure-time physical activity among the middle-aged and elderly people

10^th Global Nursing & Healthcare conference

August 18-19, 2016 Sao Paulo, Brazil

Mei-Yeh Wang

Cardinal Tien Junior College of Healthcare and Management, Taiwan

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Nurs Care

Abstract :

Aim: Preventing and/or delaying cognitive impairment has become a major public health concern in many countries. Physical activity has been documented as having beneficial effects to alleviate the negative impact of age-related cognitive decline. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of leisure�s time physical activity in relation to cognitive function. Methods: This study was based on data from the Taiwan longitudinal study in Aging. A total of 3585 of middle-aged and older people aged 57-85 were assessed (mean: 70.59, SD: 7.78). Results: Frequency of physical activity significantly predicted cognitive level after adjustment of age, gender, educational level, depressive level, and health risk behaviour (i.e., smoking and drinking). Participants engaging in physical activity at least for 1-2 times per week had significantly better cognitive level than sedentary participants. In participants aged 57-65 (n=1149), individuals engaging in physical activity for six more times per week had significantly better cognitive level than sedentary individuals. Cognitive level of sedentary individuals did no differ from individuals who had physical activity for 1-2 times or 3-5 times per week. Similar finding was found in participants aged 66-85 (n=2436), individuals engaging in physical activity were associated with better cognitive level compared with sedentary individuals. However, there were no differences in cognitive level among groups of individuals engaging in physical activity according to frequency. Conclusion: This general population-based study suggests that participation in leisure-time physical activity promoted cognitive level among the middle-aged and elderly people.

Biography :

Mei-Yeh Wang has completed her PhD from Taipei Medical University and currently, working as Associate Professor in Department of Nursing, Cardinal Tien Junior College of Healthcare and Management. Her research is related to patients with major depressive disorder and focuses on “The assessment and nonpharmacological intervention of fatigue and sleep disturbance”. Moreover, her doctoral dissertation focused on “The assessment of cardiovascular risks of people with depressive symptoms”. She has published more than 20 papers in reputed journals.

Email: mywang@ctcn.edu.tw