Higher cardiorespiratory fitness in older age is linked to the preservation of several core aspects of cognitive ability that are vulnerable to age-related decline, a recent study revealed -- and this association holds true irrespective of key risk factors for cognitive decline, such as age and carriage of the high-risk APOE4 gene.

Cardiorespiratory fitness is a physiological measure of aerobic capacity that can be modified by regular aerobic exercise. Although it has been linked to reduced risk of age-related cognitive decline and dementia, it’s not clear which aspects of cognition it might influence. The researchers therefore wanted to find out if cardiorespiratory fitness was associated with core cognitive performance domains in 648 cognitively healthy 65-80 year-olds (average age 69; 71% women).

Cardiorespiratory fitness was defined as the highest oxygen consumption (VO2max) recorded during a graded treadmill running test, while cognitive ability was assessed from the results of a comprehensive battery of validated neuropsychological tests carried out over two days. The tests measured five cognitive domains: processing speed; working memory; visuospatial processing; episodic memory; and executive function/attentional control, which includes planning and organizational skills.

As expected, older age was associated with poorer performance across all five cognitive domains, after adjustment for sex, years of education, and weight (BMI), whereas educational attainment was associated with better performance. But a higher level of cardiorespiratory fitness was associated with better performance across all five cognitive domains assessed, regardless of age or genetic vulnerability.

The association between cardiorespiratory fitness and cognitive performance was greater in women, those with fewer years of education, and those taking beta-blockers, in the domains of processing speed and executive function/attentional control. Although the observational study cannot prove cause and effect, the authors conclude, “These findings demonstrate the breadth of cognitive benefits associated with higher [cardiorespiratory fitness], and highlight several key factors that might influence the relationship between fitness and neurocognitive health in older adulthood.”

To download the full study, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, click here