Sign in Subscribe
Exercise

Physical Activity and Subjective Cognitive Decline Among Older Adults: A Population-Based Analysis

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researcher Gary Hao and his colleagues have conducted a study on the association between physical activity and subjective cognitive decline (SCD) among older adults aged 65 years and above. The study utilized data from the 2023 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, which included 73,339 older adults who completed the cognitive decline module. The results showed that older adults who engaged in physical activity and met guidelines were less likely to report SCD. Specifically, participation in certain primary activity types, combined with meeting at least one physical activity guideline, was associated with lower odds of SCD.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that 33.1% of older adults reported no physical activity, while 14.7% reported insufficient physical activity, 28.4% met one guideline only, and 23.8% met both guidelines.
  • The most commonly reported primary physical activities were walking (39.7%), gardening or yard work (8.6%), and bicycling (2.7%).
  • Compared to those without physical activities, older adults who engaged in physical activity and met guidelines were less likely to report SCD.
  • Meeting physical activity guidelines was associated with a lower risk of SCD, with an Adjusted Prevalence Ratio (95% CI) of 0.87 (0.78, 0.96) for those who met one guideline and 0.81 (0.73, 0.90) for those who met both guidelines.
  • Certain primary activity types, combined with meeting at least one physical activity guideline, were associated with lower odds of SCD.
  • The study highlights the importance of meeting physical activity guidelines to mitigate the risk of SCD among older adults.

Statistics:

  • 73,339 older adults participated in the study.
  • 33.1% of older adults did not engage in any physical activity.
  • 39.7% reported walking as their primary physical activity.
  • 8.6% reported gardening or yard work as their primary physical activity.
  • 2.7% reported bicycling as their primary physical activity.
  • The Adjusted Prevalence Ratio (95% CI) for SCD was 0.87 (0.78, 0.96) for those who met one guideline and 0.81 (0.73, 0.90) for those who met both guidelines.

Sources:

  • Physical activity and subjective cognitive decline among U.S. older adults: A population-based analysis of the 2023 behavioral risk factor surveillance system. Preventive Medicine, 2025;202:108424.
  • Research by Gary Hao, Millard West High School, Omaha, NE, United States.
  • Research by Nicolas Guenzel and Tzeyu L. Michaud.
  • Academic Press Inc Elsevier Science, 525 B St, Ste 1900, San Diego, CA 92101-4495, USA.

Read more