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London, December 11, 2024 – A new study has found that higher cardiorespiratory fitness in older adults is associated with the preservation of several key cognitive functions that tend to decline with age. The research, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, shows that this benefit remains significant regardless of age or the presence of the high-risk APOE4 gene, which has been linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
Cardiorespiratory fitness, a measure of the body’s aerobic capacity, can be improved through regular aerobic exercise. While previous research has linked good cardiovascular health to a reduced risk of dementia and cognitive decline, the specific cognitive domains affected by fitness have remained unclear.
The study involved 648 cognitively healthy adults aged 65 to 80 (average age 69). Cardiorespiratory fitness was measured using the highest oxygen consumption (VO2 max) recorded during a graded treadmill test. Cognitive abilities were assessed through a comprehensive series of neuropsychological tests, covering five cognitive domains: processing speed, working memory, visuospatial processing, episodic memory, and executive function/attentional control.
The results revealed a clear association between higher levels of cardiorespiratory fitness and better cognitive performance across all five domains, even after adjusting for factors such as sex, education, and body mass index (BMI). This link held true regardless of age or whether participants carried the APOE4 gene, known to increase the risk of cognitive decline.
Interestingly, the benefits of fitness were particularly evident in women, individuals with fewer years of education, and those taking beta-blockers. These groups showed greater improvements in processing speed and executive function, which includes skills like planning and organization.
While the study establishes a strong connection between fitness and cognitive function, it is important to note that this was an observational study, meaning that causality cannot be definitively established. Additionally, not all cognitive domains were assessed—language skills, for example—and the study participants were relatively inactive, limiting the variability in fitness levels.
The researchers suggest that aerobic fitness could benefit brain health in several ways, including improving cerebral blood flow, reducing oxidative stress, and promoting the growth of neurons and synapses. Furthermore, physical activity may enhance neurotransmitter systems and alter the structure of both gray and white matter in the brain. Psychosocial factors such as improved mood, better sleep, and reduced fatigue may also play a role in boosting cognitive performance.
The study’s findings underscore the importance of cardiorespiratory fitness in maintaining cognitive health during aging. The researchers hope that their work will inform the development of individualized exercise programs that optimize cognitive function in older adults.
“We believe these findings could help guide recommendations for targeted physical activity interventions that focus on boosting cardiorespiratory fitness to preserve cognitive abilities in older age,” the researchers concluded.
For more details, the full study is available in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
Reference: Cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with cognitive function in late adulthood: baseline findings from the IGNITE study, British Journal of Sports Medicine (2024). DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2024-108257
