LAUSR

Background: By 2030 about 74 million people worldwide will be diagnosed with dementia. This number will pose a tremendous burden for patients, caregivers and health care systems. Physical activity is known to affect cognitive ageing positively and maintain cognitive functions, but its role in the progression of already diagnosed cognitive impairment remains unclear. This study aims to display the relationship between physical activity levels and cognitive functions among older people with prodromal stages of dementia. Methods: 121 participants aged above 60 with memory complaints took part in this study. General cognitive function was analyzed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Physical activity levels were evaluated using the self-reported LASA Physical Activity Questionnaire (LAPAQ) and an activity tracker. Physical fitness was determined with an incremental exercise test. On the basis of the results of the MoCA the participants were subdivided into three different groups (Group 1 with a MoCA score of 19–21, Group 2 with a MoCA score between 22–25 Group 2 and Group 3 with a MoCA score of 26). The groups’ physical activity levels (LAPAQ, activity tracker, incremental exercise test) were analyzed using the one-way analysis of variance with the dependent variable group. The relationship between general cognitive function (MoCA) and physical activity levels (LAPAQ, activity tracker, incremental exercise test) was analyzed with Spearman’s correlation. Results: Group 1 showed significantly lower activity levels than Group 2, both, for self-reported activity (p < 0.05) as well as activity measured by the activity tracker (p < 0.001). Furthermore, physical fitness was significantly worse in Group 1 compared to Group 2 (p < 0.05). A negative correlation between the MoCA and the results of the incremental exercise test (p < 0.05; r = −0.24) was found. Discussion: Due to these findings we assume that a reciprocal relationship between physical activity and cognitive functions exists. In contrast to previous studies we were able to show a direct link between physical activity levels – objectively and subjectively measured – physical fitness and cognitive performance even among prodromal stages of dementia. Data of this study supports the idea that an increase in physical activity levels will be reflected by an improvement of cognitive functions even in patients at a prodromal stage of dementia.