Accelerometer-measured daily steps and subjective cognitive ability in older adults: A two-year follow-up study

There is still a paucity of longitudinal studies examining the relationships between objectively-assessed daily steps and cognitive performance in older adults. The current study aimed to explore whether there is a dose-response relationship between accelerometer-measured daily steps and subjective cognitive decline rate after 2 years in older adults. A total of 285 community-dwelling older adults (age = 74.52 ± 6.12 years, female = 55.4%) wore accelerometers for 7 consecutive days measuring daily steps in 2012. Subjective cognitive ability was measured using a Chinese version of the Ascertain Dementia 8-item Questionnaire (AD8). In total 274 (96.1%) participants completed the follow-up study in 2014. Multivariable negative binomial regression adjusted for confounders was undertaken. Daily steps were linearly related to a reduced decline rate in subjective cognitive ability after 2 years. When daily steps were categorized into groups (<3500, 3500–6999, and ≥7000 steps/day), taking approximately 3500–6999 steps/day was associated with a reduced subjective cognitive decline rate (RR = 0.57, 95% CI = 0.37–0.89) after 2 years compared with <3500 steps/day. When accruing ≥7000 steps/day, the decline rate progressively decreased further (RR = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.23–0.82). Sensitivity analyses supported the stability of these findings. These results suggest that there is an inverse dose-response association of daily steps with subjective cognitive decline rate. Even as few as 3500–6999 steps/day was associated with a lower subjective cognitive decline rate after 2 years. Accumulating ≥7000 steps/day could provide greater protection for subjective cognitive ability

Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of outdoor walking with overall mental health in later life

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of three walking parameters (frequency, duration, and intensity) with overall mental health in older adults. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2014 with 1255 community-dwelling older adults aged 65 years and older in Taipei, Taiwan. Among them, 408 participants completed the one-year follow-up survey in 2015. Self-reported outdoor walking during the past 7 days was measured by asking the frequency, duration, and intensity. Metabolic equivalent (MET) values (<2.5, 2.5–<3.5, 3.5–<4.5, and ≥4.5 MET) were assigned to the four levels of speed (slow pace, average, brisk, and fast pace) based on the average walking distance per minute. Overall mental health was assessed using the Five-item Brief Symptom Rating Scale (BSRS-5). Multivariable linear regression models were conducted to explore the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between outdoor walking and overall mental health, adjusting for socio-demographic factors, lifestyle behaviors, comorbidity and health status. Results: Among the walking parameters, only walking intensity emerged as a significant predictor of subsequent overall mental health. Multivariable regression analysis showed that light-to-moderate intensity (approximately 2.5–<4.5 METs) was significantly associated with better overall mental health at 12-month follow-up. Conclusions: Outdoor walking at light-to-moderate intensity is prospectively associated with better overall mental health in later life