Physical activity level in people with age related white matter changes correlates to better motor performance, lower comorbidity and higher cognitive level

BMC Geriatrics

Research Article

Kaarina Amberla¹  Hansjoerg Baezner²  Lars-Olof Wahlund³  Milita Crisby³  Elisabeth Olsson⁴  Anna F. Pettersson⁴  Lena Bronge⁵ 

[1] Department of Clinical Psychology, Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland;Department of Neurology, Universitätsklinikum Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany;Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Huddinge, Sweden;Division of Physiotherapy, Karolinska Institutet, Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, 23 100, 141 83, Huddinge, Sweden;Division of Radiology, CLINTEC Department, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden;

关键词: Cognition;    Gait;    Health;    Motor function;    Physical activity;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12877-017-0535-z

 received in 2017-03-09, accepted in 2017-07-04,  发布年份 2017

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundPhysical activity plays a pivotal role in the development of disability and may modify the negative effect of vascular risk factors on progression of both cardio and cerebrovascular disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the activity level in people with age-related white matter changes as identified on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in relation to motor performance, cognition and perceived health.MethodsData came from the first year follow up of one participating centers of the LADIS study. Fifty one subjects were first enrolled in the study. Complete first year follow up data was available for 41 subjects. Information on comorbidity, physical activity level, physical function, cognition, level of white matter changes and perceived health was collected. Physical activity level was classified with a yes or no question and with the Frenchay Activities Index (FAI).ResultsOnly 36% of the subjects in this study were physically active according to the yes/no question. 27.5% of the subjects were active according to the FAI score which evaluates the everyday activities. Being active discriminated subjects with better physical function. Subjects active according to the FAI score had a higher cognitive level (p ≤ 0.01), lower comorbidity (p = 0.02) and performed better on all motor function tasks as assessed by walking speed (p ≤ 0.01) and the Short Physical Performance battery (SPPB) (p ≤ 0.01).ConclusionsBeing physically active seems to be a long term protective factor. In our study, the majority of subjects with Age Related White Mattter Changes (ARWMC) with no or mild Instrumental Activity of Daily Living (IADL) disability did not attain recommended level of activity at first year follow up. Whether or not increasing physical activity may slow down cognitive decline and lessen development of disability in physically inactive subjects with manifest ARWC remains to be studied. Trial registration: not applicable.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s). 2017