Date of Award:

5-2006

Document Type:

Dissertation

Degree Name:

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department:

Psychology

Committee Chair(s)

JoAnn T. Tschanz

Committee

JoAnn T. Tschanz

Committee

Kevin S. Masters

Committee

M. Scott DeBerard

Committee

Edward M. Heath

Committee

Christopher D. Corcoran

Abstract

The present study examined the relationship between occupational physical activity, late-life leisure time physical activity, and cognitive performance/change over time considering vascular factors. The study followed participants over 7 years (baseline 1995/96; wave 2, 1998/99; wave 3, 2002/03) from the ongoing Cache County Study on Memory, Health, and Aging. Mean age at baseline of the 3,366 participants was 74.55 years (SD= 6.64) and 53.03% were female. Occupational physical activity was assessed via the Dictionary of Occupational Titles. Late-life leisure time physical activity based on light, moderate, and vigorous activity was assessed at baseline. Cognitive status was measured with the Modified Mini Mental Status Examination, Revised, and cognitive change was calculated by comparing scores to previous assessment. Results indicated through linear mixed models that occupational physical activity was inversely associated with cognitive status at baseline with those in the most active occupations evidencing the lowest cognitive scores, F= 7.91, p < .001, but occupational physical activity was not related to cognitive change over time. Late-life leisure time physical activity was positively associated with baseline cognitive scores, F= 24.29, p < .001, and cognitive change over time (based on 2 DF test; LLPA*time, F= 21.55, p < .001; LLPA*time*time, F= 13.91, p < .001). Active participants started to decline at a slightly faster rate than sedentary participants by the third time point, which was opposite of expectations. Although a convergence of scores across groups over time was noted, because late-life active participants had significantly higher baseline cognitive scores, active participants maintained a higher cognitive score over time. The relationship between physical activity and cognitive status/change over time was not influenced by the addition of vascular factors. The present data support the positive effects of late-life leisure time physical activity, but indicate a negative effect for increasing levels of occupational physical activity. A direct relationship between physical activity, vascular factors, and cognitive performance/change was not evident. Consequently, future research is required involving frequent assessment of physical activity and long-term follow-up in order to understand the complex relationship between occupational and leisure time physical activity as they relate to cognitive performance/change.

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