Study uncovers a surprising temporal relationship between cognitive function and physical activity

The decline in cognitive abilities after 50 years of age is associated with a subsequent decline in physical activity, which in turn is associated with greater depressive symptoms, according to new research published in Translational Psychiatry. The findings suggest, contrary to popular belief, that cognitive function is a stronger predictor of changes in physical activity than physical activity is a predictor of changes in cognitive function.

The researchers examined longitudinal data from 51,191 adults 50 years of age or older from more than 25 countries.

Cheval and his colleagues found that higher cognitive function predicted higher physical activity 2 years later and that higher physical activity predicted lower depressive symptoms after 2 more years.

“Using a statistical method, we formally demonstrate that a decline in cognitive function predicted a decline in physical activity, which in turn predicted a higher level of depressive symptoms,” Cheval told PsyPost. “So, in this data, cognitive function predicted the decline in physical activity. In turn, the decline in physical activity negatively impacted people mental health.”

“The dominant existing literature suggest that physical activity has strong positive effects on people’s cognitive health (which is the case as observed also in the study),” Cheval explained. “However, the potential role of cognitive function to favor physical activity engagement was largely overlooked (we looked at only half of the story).”

The study, “Physical activity partly mediates the association between cognitive function and depressive symptoms“,

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