The Impact of Physical Activity on Memory Loss and Concentration in Adults Aged 18 or Older in the U.S. in 2020

Abstract

This cross-sectional study used secondary data from the USA 2020 National Health Interview Survey database. The goal of this study is to outline the impact physical activity has on cognition and mental ability. The reason we chose to pursue this research was a result of the exponentially growing weight of economic and emotional burden caused by cognitive impairments and diseases. The main outcome was whether individuals experienced dementia symptoms such as memory loss and difficulty concentrating. The main exposure was following physical activity guidelines (none, strength only, aerobic only, both). The confounders included age, sex, region, heart disease status, smoking status, drinking status, and depression status. The sample is composed of 30,119 USA adults aged 18 or older. Of those participants, 46% were male and 54% were female. By age, 96% were 18–84 years old, and approximately 4% were 85 and older. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). There was a statistically significant association between difficulty following physical activity guidelines and cognitive difficulties. Those who met aerobic only increased the odds of cognitive difficulty by 52% (OR 1.52; 95% CI: 1.34–1.74) compared with those who met both criteria. Those who met the strength criteria had 1.7 greater odds of cognitive difficulties (OR 1.70; 95% CI: 1.42–2.02) than those who met both criteria. Those who met neither of these guidelines had almost threefold greater odds of having cognitive difficulties (OR 2.64; 95% CI: 2.36–2.96) than those who met both guidelines. Researchers and healthcare providers should collaborate to encourage meeting these guidelines and addressing barriers preventing people from being physically active, such as physical limitations and access to safe recreational spaces. Future studies should address the health disparities regarding physical activity.