Physical Activity Over the Adult Life Course and Risk of Dementia in the Framingham Heart Study

When during the adult life course is physical activity most associated with risk of incident dementia?In this cohort study of 1526 early adult–life, 1943 midlife, and 855 late-life participants in the Framingham Heart Study, individuals with the highest levels of physical activity at midlife and late life had 41% and 45% lower risk of all-cause dementia, respectively, compared with those with the lowest levels of physical activity, a statistically significant difference. Early adult–life physical activity was not associated with dementia risk.These findings suggest that timing efforts to promote physical activity during midlife or late life may be warranted to help delay or prevent dementia.

Corresponding Author: Phillip H. Hwang, PhD, MPH, Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, 715 Albany St, Boston, MA 02118 (phhwang@bu.edu).

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