Association of Physical Activity with Incidence of Dementia Is Attenuated by Air Pollution

David A. Raichlen, Melissa Furlong, Yann C. Klimentidis, M. Katherine Sayre, Kimberly L. Parra, Pradyumna K. Bharadwaj, Rand R. Wilcox, Gene E. Alexander

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Introduction Physical activity (PA) is recognized as one of the key lifestyle behaviors that reduces risk of developing dementia late in life. However, PA also leads to increased respiration, and in areas with high levels of air pollution, PA may increase exposure to pollutants linked with higher risk of developing dementia. Here, we investigate whether air pollution attenuates the association between PA and dementia risk. Methods This prospective cohort study included 35,562 adults 60 yrs and older from the UK Biobank. Average acceleration magnitude (ACCave) from wrist-worn accelerometers was used to assess PA levels. Air pollution levels (NO, NO2, PM10, PM2.5, PM2.5-10, and PM2.5 absorbance) were estimated with land use regression methods. Incident all-cause dementia was derived from inpatient hospital records and death registry data. Results In adjusted models, ACCave was associated with reduced risk of developing dementia (HR = 0.71, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.60-0.83), whereas air pollution variables were not associated with dementia risk. There were significant interactions between ACCave and PM2.5 (HRinteraction = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.13-1.57) and PM2.5 absorbance (HRinteraction = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.07-1.45) on incident dementia. At the lowest tertiles of pollution, ACCave was associated with reduced risk of incident dementia (HRPM 2.5 = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.49-0.91; HRPM 2.5 absorbance = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.44-0.81). At the highest tertiles of these pollutants, there was no significant association of ACCave with incident dementia (HRPM 2.5 = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.68-1.14; HRPM 2.5 absorbance = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.60-1.04). Conclusions PA is associated with reduced risk of developing all-cause dementia. However, exposure to even moderate levels of air pollution attenuates the benefits of PA on risk of dementia.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1131-1138
Number of pages8
JournalMedicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
Volume54
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1 2022

Keywords

  • ACCELEROMETER
  • ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE
  • EXERCISE
  • PARTICULATE MATTER

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
  • Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

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