Prospective association between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity trajectories and cognitive function in middle-aged and older adults

TANG Lulu; YU Xiaoli; CHI Chunwei; QIU Changcui; WANG Li; ZHU Xiaoping

doi:10.16462/j.cnki.zhjbkz.2025.08.005

Volume 29 Issue 8

Aug. 2025

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TANG Lulu, YU Xiaoli, CHI Chunwei, QIU Changcui, WANG Li, ZHU Xiaoping. Prospective association between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity trajectories and cognitive function in middle-aged and older adults[J]. CHINESE JOURNAL OF DISEASE CONTROL & PREVENTION, 2025, 29(8): 894-899. doi: 10.16462/j.cnki.zhjbkz.2025.08.005

Citation:

TANG Lulu, YU Xiaoli, CHI Chunwei, QIU Changcui, WANG Li, ZHU Xiaoping. Prospective association between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity trajectories and cognitive function in middle-aged and older adults[J]. CHINESE JOURNAL OF DISEASE CONTROL & PREVENTION, 2025, 29(8): 894-899. doi: 10.16462/j.cnki.zhjbkz.2025.08.005

Citation:

TANG Lulu, YU Xiaoli, CHI Chunwei, QIU Changcui, WANG Li, ZHU Xiaoping. Prospective association between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity trajectories and cognitive function in middle-aged and older adults[J]. CHINESE JOURNAL OF DISEASE CONTROL & PREVENTION, 2025, 29(8): 894-899. doi: 10.16462/j.cnki.zhjbkz.2025.08.005

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Prospective association between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity trajectories and cognitive function in middle-aged and older adults

doi: 10.16462/j.cnki.zhjbkz.2025.08.005

TANG Lulu^{1, 2},
YU Xiaoli¹,
CHI Chunwei¹,
QIU Changcui^{1, 2},
WANG Li^{3
,
,},
ZHU Xiaoping^{1
,
,}

1.
Department of Nursing, Shanghai Tenth People′s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
2.
Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200331, China
3.
School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang 712046, China

Funds:

National Natural Science Foundation of China 72074168

Project for the Promotion and Optimization of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technologies in Municipal Hospitals, Shanghai Shenkang Hospital Development Center SHDC22024207

More Information

Corresponding author: WANG Li, E-mail: 2111152@sntcm.edu.cn; ZHU Xiaoping, E-mail: xiaopingzhu0424@163.com
Received Date: 2025-04-11
Rev Recd Date: 2025-05-30
Publish Date: 2025-08-10

Abstract

Abstract

Objective To explore the association between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) trajectories and cognitive function among middle-aged and older adults in Chinese communities. Methods We used data from the 2011 to 2018 waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), including sociodemographic characteristics, health status, lifestyle factors, and health-related behaviors. MVPA trajectories were identified using group-based trajectory model (GBTM) with a censored normal distribution. Linear mixed-effects model was used to examine the association between MVPA trajectories and cognitive function. Results A total of 4 989 individuals aged 45 years and older were included, with a median follow-up of 7.0 years. Two distinct MVPA trajectories were identified: low-fluctuating group (55.42%) and high-declining group (44.58%). High-declining group exhibited a significantly slower decline in cognitive function (β=0.11, 95% CI: 0.07-0.16, P < 0.001) compared to low-fluctuating group. Among those in high-declining group, individuals with primary school education had a slower rate of cognitive decline than illiterate (β=0.17, 95% CI: 0.10-0.23, P=0.023). Conclusions We identify two distinct trajectories of MVPA among middle-aged and older adults. The findings suggest that maintaining a higher level of physical activity over time may help slow cognitive decline, particularly among individuals with lower levels of education.
- Middle-aged and older adults,
- Cognitive function,
- Physical activity trajectories

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References(21)

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