Associations of leisure time, work-related and domestic physical activity with cognitive impairment in older adults.

This study aimed to explore independent associations between leisure-time
physical activity (LTPA), work-related, and domestic physical activity (WDPA) and
specific parameters of physical activity (frequency, duration and intensity) with cognitive impairment. A total of 2,727 older adults (65+) participating in the 2005 Taiwan National Health Interview Survey were studied. Information on frequency, duration and intensity for each type of LTPA and WDPA was self-reported. Multivariate logistic regression models were undertaken to compute adjusted odds ratios (AOR) for LTPA and WDPA when predicting cognitive impairment assessed by the Mini-Mental State Examination. LTPA rather than WDPA was associated with cognitive impairment (p=0.01). Participants expending less energy in LTPA had higher risk (AOR= 1.84, 95%CI: 1.13-2.29). Risk reduction among the three components of LTPA was only associated with duration of activity (p=0.02). Regular engagement in LTPA for at least 30 minutes is associated with reduced risk of cognitive impairment.