A Cross Sectional Analysis of Physical Activity Engagement in Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment

Background: To address the paucity of literature regarding the relationship between mild cognitive impairment and physical activity engagement, this study aimed to understand the relative contribution of cognitive, demographic, physical and psychological variables related to physical activity engagement in individuals with mild cognitive impairment. Method This was a descriptive, cross – sectional study of secondary data from 62 participants with MCI (mean age 70.53, SD  = 6.34), 53.2% female, median MoCA 23 ( IQR 20, 24)) from the NeuroExercise study, a 12 – month PA intervention on the outcome of cognitive function. The independent variable of interest was global cognitive function. Age, gender, years of education, number of medications, handgrip strength, depression, and quality of life were treated as covariates. The dependent variable was PA engagement in minutes per week, using the LAPAQ physical activity questionnaire and the Actigraph triaxial accelerometer device. Results Hierarchical regression analyses showed no significant effect of cognitive function on physical activity engagement after controlling for the effects of covariates. Physical activity engagement was low relative to global physical activity guidelines (( M  = 111.38, SD  = 94.29) Actigraph ( t (51) = -2.95, p  < .005) and the LAPAQ ( M  = 51.71, SD  = 22.80), t (61) = -33.94, p  = < .001)). A Bland- Altman measure of agreement demonstrated that objective and subjective measures of physical activity were not equivalent. Conclusions This sample of adults with MCI were not sufficiently physically active. Further, there was substantial variability between objective and subjective measures of physical activity engagement. Objective measurement of PA data may be more reliable for adults with mild cognitive impairment.