scholarly journals Moderate-Intensity Physical Activity, Music and Art Activities Preserved Cognitive Health in Older Adults: An Argument for Social Prescribing Solution

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Arab ◽  
Gregory J. Christie ◽  
Mehrdad Mansouri ◽  
Maryam Ahmadzadeh ◽  
Andrew Sixsmith ◽  
...  

Introduction: Rates of dementia are projected to increase over the coming years as global populations age. Without a treatment to slow the progression of dementia, many health policies are focusing on preventing dementia by slowing the rate of cognitive decline with age. However, it is unclear which lifestyle changes in old age meaningfully reduce the rate of cognitive decline associated with aging.Objectives: Use existing, multi-year longitudinal health data to determine if engagement in a variety of different lifestyle activities can slow the rate of cognitive decline as older adults age.Method: Data from the English Longitudinal Study of Aging was analyzed using a quasi-experimental, efficient matched-pair design inspired by the clinical trial methodology. Changes in short-term memory scores were assessed over a multi-year interval for groups who undertook one of 11 different lifestyle activities, compared to control groups matched across confounding socioeconomic and lifestyle factors.Results: Two factors, moderate-intensity physical activity and learning activities, resulted in significant positive impact on cognitive function.Conclusion: Our analysis brings cognitive benefit arguments in favor of two lifestyle activities, moderate-intensity physical activity and learning activities, while rejecting other factors advanced by the literature such as vigorous-intensity physical activity. Those findings justify and encourage the development of new lifestyle health programs by health authorities and bring forward the new health system solution, social prescribing.

Circulation ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 143 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jordy Mehawej ◽  
Jane Saczynski ◽  
Catarina I Kiefe ◽  
Eric Ding ◽  
Hawa O Abu ◽  
...  

Objective: Guidelines encourage patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) to engage in moderate-intensity physical activity. We examined the sociodemographic, geriatric, and clinical factors associated with engagement in moderate-intensity physical activity among older adults with AF. Methods: Patients aged 65 years and older, diagnosed with AF, and having a CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc ≥ 2 were recruited from multiple clinics in Massachusetts and Georgia between 2015 and 2018. We utilized The Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity questionnaire to assess whether participants reported being engaged in moderate physical exercise. We examined the association between sociodemographic, clinical, geriatric elements and engaging in moderate-intensity physical activity using multiple logistic regression modelling. Results: The mean age of participants was 76 years and 52% were men. Approximately one-half (52%) of participants met the recommended levels of physical activity. Participants who were cognitively impaired (adjusted OR [aOR]=0.74; 95% CI= 0.56-0.97 ) , morbidly obese (aOR= 0.40; 95% CI= 0.22-0.72), socially isolated (aOR= 0.58; 95% CI= 0.40-0.84), and had a slow gait speed (aOR= 0.44; 95% CI= 0.32-0.60) were less likely, while those with higher AF related quality of life score (aOR=1.66; 95% CI=1.26-2.18) more likely, to engage in moderate physical activity. Conclusions: A considerable proportion of older adults with AF did not engage in moderate physical activity. Cognitive impairment, morbid obesity, social isolation, and slow gait speed were associated with not engaging in moderate exercise. Health care providers should identify patients with AF who are sedentary, promote engagement, and tailor interventions to address obstacles in engagement in physical activity.


1999 ◽  
Vol 2 (3a) ◽  
pp. 383-390 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rainer Rauramaa ◽  
SB Väisänen

AbstractRegular moderate intensity physical activity and habitual diet providing no more than one third of energy from fats have been recommended for the prevention of atherosclerotic diseases. The background for these guidelines is the key role of plasma lipids. However, the importance of thrombogenesis in acute myocardial infarction has become obvious during the last decade. Hyperlipidaemia and excess of adipose tissue increase platelet aggregability and blood coagulation, and decrease fibrinolysis. Both regular physical activity and dietary fat reduction decrease blood lipids and body fat thereby diminishing the risk of thrombosis. Currently, data on interactions between physical activity and diet on haemostasis are scarce, and the few studies available have not demonstrated additional effects when these two lifestyle modifications have been combined. This paper is restricted only to studies using controlled randomized design. Regular moderate intensity physical activity as well as diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids decrease platelet aggregability. The effects of regular physical activity on plasma fibrinogen remain contradictory, while the impact of diet is even less clear. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, a possible link between insulin resistance syndrome and coronary heart disease, may decrease due to physical training or low fat diet. It can be hypothesized that moderation in physical activity and diet carries a more powerful impact on blood coagulation and fibrinolysis than either lifestyle modification alone. Studies focusing on the interactions of regular moderate physical activity and fat-modified diet are needed in efforts to optimize the preventive actions by lifestyle changes.


Circulation ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 137 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua R Sparks ◽  
Xuewen F Wang

Background: Glucose concentrations in a fasted and during a glucose challenged state rely on different mechanisms for regulation. In a fasted state, hepatic regulation of glucose is important; while in a glucose challenged state, muscle glucose disposal becomes more important. Evidence suggests that physical activity of moderate or higher intensities can increase muscle glucose disposal during an insulin-stimulated state, but has less effect on hepatic insulin sensitivity. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between glucose concentrations (fasting and after an oral glucose ingestion) and minutes of physical activity at moderate- and vigorous-intensity in a large population. Methods: The sample included 2,807 adults (47.4% male and 52.6% female) aged 18-80 years who participated in the National Health and Nutritional Examination Surveys (NHANES) from 2013-2014 and who did not take any diabetic medications. Minutes being physically active at moderate- and vigorous-intensities during work, and recreationally, were collected using the Physical Activity Questionnaire, which was based on the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. Moderate-intensity physical activity was defined as any activity that caused a small increase in breathing or heart rate, while vigorous-intensity physical activity was defined as large increases in breathing or heart rate. Both intensities had to be performed for a minimum of 10 continuous minutes. Plasma glucose concentrations at fasting and 2 hours after consumption of a drink containing 75g glucose (2-hour glucose) were determined. Pearson product correlations were performed for analysis. Results: The population had 141±133 (mean±SD) minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity during work and 63±56 minutes recreationally, as well as 174±156 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity during work and 77±56 minutes recreationally. Minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity performed during work was associated with 2-hour plasma glucose concentrations (r=0.15; p=0.045); this association was not affected after adjusting for age, race, and sex (p=0.049), but was no longer significant after BMI was also adjusted (p=0.059). Recreational or total minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity, and moderate-intensity physical activity was not associated with 2-hour glucose (p>0.20). Additionally, none of the physical activity minutes was associated with fasting glucose (p>0.27). Conclusion: Self-reported vigorous-intensity physical activity during work was positively associated with 2-hour glucose, but not fasting glucose. The results are surprising. Further studies with objective physical activity measures are needed to examine the associations with fasting and 2-hour glucose.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document