Mid‐ to late‐life physical and recreational activities: Associations with late‐life cognition

Background Physical and cognitively stimulating recreational activities are lifestyle factors that may modify risk of late‐life cognitive decline. We sought to examine the role of retrospective ratings of mid‐life (age 40) physical and recreational activity engagement – and change in these activities from age 40 to study entry – in predicting late‐life cognition. We hypothesized that higher self‐reported levels of physical and recreational activities at age 40, and less decline in these activities over time, would be associated with higher levels of late‐life cognition and less rapid cognitive decline. Method Data were obtained from 898 participants in the University of California Davis Aging and Diversity Cohort, a longitudinal study of cognitive aging in demographically and cognitively diverse older adults. Participants ranged in age from 49‐93 years (M = 75, SD = 7.19). Self‐reported physical and recreational activity participation at age 40 and at study entry were quantified using the Life Experiences Assessment Form. Confirmatory factor analysis established the unidimensionality and longitudinal measurement invariance of physical and recreational activity levels at age 40 and at study entry. Change in activities was modeled using latent change scores. Cognitive outcomes were obtained annually (range = 0‐17 years) using the Spanish and English Neuropsychological Assessment Scales, which measures episodic memory, semantic memory, visuospatial processing, and executive functioning. Multilevel structural equation modeling was used to regress four cognitive intercepts and one global cognitive slope onto age 40 and change factors for physical and recreational activities, in separate models. Result Physical activity engagement at age 40 was strongly associated with cognitive performance in all four domains at study entry and with global cognitive slope. However, change in physical activities was not associated with cognitive outcomes. In contrast, recreational activity engagement – both at age 40 and change after age 40 – was predictive of cognitive intercepts and slope. Conclusion Mid‐life physical and recreational activity engagement were strongly associated with late‐life cognition – both level of performance and rate of future decline. However, the data suggest that maintenance of recreational activity engagement (e.g., writing, taking classes, reading, arts & crafts) after age 40 is more strongly associated with late‐life cognition than continued maintenance of physical activity levels.