Sedentary behaviours, cognitive function, and possible mechanisms in older adults: a systematic review

Abstract

Background: Physical activity can improve cognitive function of older adults, but the influence of sedentary behaviour on cognition is less clear. This systematic review investigated associations between sedentary behaviour and cognitive function in older adults without dementia, and possible mechanisms involved.Methods: Major databases were searched for studies in English between 01/01/1999 and 31/10/2019. The systematic review followed COSMOS-E guideline and a pre-registered protocol (CRD42019122229). Risk of bias was assessed using NICE Quality appraisal checklist. Findings were narratively synthesized and presented.Findings: Eighteen studies comprised of Thirteen cross-sectional and five longitudinal analyses (n= 40,228). Evidence suggested varied associations between varied sedentary behaviours and cognitive function in older adults. 50% of study analyses did not control for physical activity. 3/18 studies demonstrated associations between higher sedentary levels and lower levels of brain biomarkers, while 1/18 showed auto-regulatory effect in the left hippocampus. Conducting a meta-analysis was not justifiable due to considerable methodological, participant, outcome and exposure heterogeneity. Conclusion:There is a lack of clarity about the overall and independent association between sedentary behaviour and cognition in older age. Underlying mechanisms are similar to physical activity and probably multi-modal. More studies with robust designs and methodology are needed to confirm effect of sedentary behaviour on cognition.

Relationships between changes in self-reported physical activity, sedentary behaviour and health during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in France and Switzerland

“…Hence, our study provides support for the idea that the physical and mental health benefits associated with physical activity also apply in the context a major stressful event (Rebar et al, 2015;Warburton et al, 2006), and thereby confirms that physical activity can play a vital role in coping with stressors. Likewise, our study shows not only the positive effects of low level of sedentary behaviours on individuals' physical and mental health (Boberska et al, 2018;Ekelund et al, 2016;Hamilton et al, 2007;Olanrewaju et al, 2020;Teychenne et al, 2010), but also its role in helping individuals to cope with a major stressful event.…”

“…As physical activity has been shown to protect both physical and mental health (Rebar et al, 2015;Warburton et al, 2006), it could help people cope with COVID-19 related stress and mitigate its detrimental effects on health. Conversely, sedentary behaviour, defined as any waking behaviour in a reclining, sitting, or lying position that requires an energy expenditure lower than 1.5 Metabolic Equivalent Task (MET) (Sedentary Behaviour Research Network, 2012), has been shown to have a wide range of relatively independent negative health effects, including adverse metabolic conditions, depression, cognitive decline, quality of life and increased mortality (Boberska et al, 2018;Ekelund et al, 2016;Hamilton et al, 2007;Olanrewaju et al, 2020;Teychenne et al, 2010).…”

Sedentary behavior, physical activity, and mental health in older adults: An isotemporal substitution model

“…A systematic review of qualitative studies indicated that although older adults understand the health consequences of prolonged SB, they also recognized that some SBs may confer cognitive or social benefits 41 . A systematic review of 18 studies (n = 40 228) concluded that there is still some uncertainty about the relationship between sedentary behavior and cognition in older adults but posited that the underlying mechanisms are likely to be similar to physical activity 42 . There is a need for further research to examine the relationship between different domains of SB and cognitive and mental health in older adults.…”

Effects of Progressive Resistance Training on Cognition and IGF-1 Levels in Elder Women Who Live in Areas with High Air Pollution

“…Numerous authors agree on the need for further longitudinal studies to determine with more precision the independent effect of different sedentary behaviours on cognitive functions [67][68][69], and to establish the most efficient type of exercise and characteristics of training programmes to counteract cognitive impairment [59,64,70].…”