Unraveling the link between physical activity and cognitive function: the mediating impact of depressive symptoms
Abstract Background This study investigates the association between physical activity and cognitive function in adults aged 50 and older, with a focus on the mediating role of depressive symptoms. Methods Data were drawn from Waves 7 to 9 of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA), including...
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2025-04-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22410-2 |
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| author | Luhan Zhang Jiacheng Zhang Qi Chen Xian Cai Liping Zu Lingyan Liu Xiaomin Wu Chenyu Li Fei Ma |
| author_facet | Luhan Zhang Jiacheng Zhang Qi Chen Xian Cai Liping Zu Lingyan Liu Xiaomin Wu Chenyu Li Fei Ma |
| author_sort | Luhan Zhang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background This study investigates the association between physical activity and cognitive function in adults aged 50 and older, with a focus on the mediating role of depressive symptoms. Methods Data were drawn from Waves 7 to 9 of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA), including 5,499 participants aged 50 years and older. Cognitive function was assessed through measures of episodic memory, numeracy, and orientation. Physical activity was quantified using a composite measure combining the frequency of vigorous, moderate, and light exercise with their respective average metabolic equivalents. Depressive symptoms were evaluated using the CES-D-8 scale. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) were employed to examine the association between physical activity and cognitive function, while the Bootstrap method was utilized to evaluate the mediating role of depressive symptoms. Results GEE analyses revealed that higher levels of physical activity were significantly associated with improved global cognitive function(β = 0.151, 95%CI: 0.118–0.183), episodic memory(β = 0.074, 95%CI: 0.058–0.090), numeracy(β = 0.033, 95%CI: 0.015–0.051), and orientation(β = 0.039, 95%CI: 0.022–0.057) (all P < 0.001). Physical activity also demonstrated a significant negative association with depressive symptoms(β=-0.402, 95%CI: -0.452 to -0.352) (P < 0.001), which, in turn, were linked to lower cognitive function. Notably, depressive symptoms mediated 8.46% of the association between physical activity and global cognitive function. Conclusions Greater engagement in physical activity is associated with better cognitive function, and this association is partially mediated by depressive symptoms. These findings underscore the importance of promoting physical activity to support cognitive health in older adults, with particular attention to its potential role in mitigating depressive symptoms. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-cbe1ff93c2634a22b0a68b7d94ea2d68 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-cbe1ff93c2634a22b0a68b7d94ea2d682025-08-20T03:08:09ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582025-04-0125111110.1186/s12889-025-22410-2Unraveling the link between physical activity and cognitive function: the mediating impact of depressive symptomsLuhan Zhang0Jiacheng Zhang1Qi Chen2Xian Cai3Liping Zu4Lingyan Liu5Xiaomin Wu6Chenyu Li7Fei Ma8Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical UniversityDepartment of Pharmacy, Tianjin Medical University Eye HospitalDepartment of Emergency, Tianjin Medical University General HospitalDepartment of clinical laboratory, Tianjin Medical University General HospitalWangdingdi Subdistrict Community Health Service Center, Nankai DistrictWangdindi Hospital, Nankai DistrictDepartment of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical UniversityDepartment of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical UniversityDepartment of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical UniversityAbstract Background This study investigates the association between physical activity and cognitive function in adults aged 50 and older, with a focus on the mediating role of depressive symptoms. Methods Data were drawn from Waves 7 to 9 of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA), including 5,499 participants aged 50 years and older. Cognitive function was assessed through measures of episodic memory, numeracy, and orientation. Physical activity was quantified using a composite measure combining the frequency of vigorous, moderate, and light exercise with their respective average metabolic equivalents. Depressive symptoms were evaluated using the CES-D-8 scale. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) were employed to examine the association between physical activity and cognitive function, while the Bootstrap method was utilized to evaluate the mediating role of depressive symptoms. Results GEE analyses revealed that higher levels of physical activity were significantly associated with improved global cognitive function(β = 0.151, 95%CI: 0.118–0.183), episodic memory(β = 0.074, 95%CI: 0.058–0.090), numeracy(β = 0.033, 95%CI: 0.015–0.051), and orientation(β = 0.039, 95%CI: 0.022–0.057) (all P < 0.001). Physical activity also demonstrated a significant negative association with depressive symptoms(β=-0.402, 95%CI: -0.452 to -0.352) (P < 0.001), which, in turn, were linked to lower cognitive function. Notably, depressive symptoms mediated 8.46% of the association between physical activity and global cognitive function. Conclusions Greater engagement in physical activity is associated with better cognitive function, and this association is partially mediated by depressive symptoms. These findings underscore the importance of promoting physical activity to support cognitive health in older adults, with particular attention to its potential role in mitigating depressive symptoms.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22410-2Physical activityCognitive functionDepressive symptomsCohort study |
| spellingShingle | Luhan Zhang Jiacheng Zhang Qi Chen Xian Cai Liping Zu Lingyan Liu Xiaomin Wu Chenyu Li Fei Ma Unraveling the link between physical activity and cognitive function: the mediating impact of depressive symptoms BMC Public Health Physical activity Cognitive function Depressive symptoms Cohort study |
| title | Unraveling the link between physical activity and cognitive function: the mediating impact of depressive symptoms |
| title_full | Unraveling the link between physical activity and cognitive function: the mediating impact of depressive symptoms |
| title_fullStr | Unraveling the link between physical activity and cognitive function: the mediating impact of depressive symptoms |
| title_full_unstemmed | Unraveling the link between physical activity and cognitive function: the mediating impact of depressive symptoms |
| title_short | Unraveling the link between physical activity and cognitive function: the mediating impact of depressive symptoms |
| title_sort | unraveling the link between physical activity and cognitive function the mediating impact of depressive symptoms |
| topic | Physical activity Cognitive function Depressive symptoms Cohort study |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22410-2 |
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