The Relations Between Physical Activity Level, Executive Function, and White Matter Microstructure in Older Adults

• DOI: 10.1123/jpah.2021-0012
• Publication Date: 2021-08-25T16:29:09Z
• Authors: Marissa A. Gogniat; Catherine M. Mewborn; Talia L. Robinson; Kharine R. Jean; L. Stephen Miller
• Keywords: Executive Function; 03 medical and health sciences; Diffusion Tensor Imaging; 0302 clinical medicine; Brain; Humans; Neuropsychological Tests; Exercise; White Matter; Aged

The population of older adults is increasing, indicating a need to examine factors that may prevent or mitigate age-related cognitive decline. current study examined whether microstructural white matter characteristics mediated the relation between physical activity and executive function in without any self-reported psychiatric neurological disorders impairment (N = 43, mean age 73 y). Physical was measured by average intensity number steps via accelerometry. Diffusion tensor imaging used characteristics, neuropsychological testing functioning. Parallel mediation models were analyzed using regions interest as mediators association function. Results indicated significantly related (β 0.0003, t 2.829, P .007), while moderate vigorous not 0.0007, 1.772, .08). White metrics did mediate associations. This suggests alone be mechanism which impacts aging.