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Conference Agenda

Overview and details of the sessions of this conference. Please select a date or location to show only sessions at that day or location. Please select a single session for detailed view (with abstracts and downloads if available).

Daily Overview

Session

Union: Abstract presentations: Monitoring Physical Activity and Health Across the Life Course
Location: Grand Hotel Union
Session Chair: Anja Frei

Presentation 7

12:23pm - 12:26pm

Does genetic architecture for cognitive function modify the association between lifelong physical activity and midlife cognitive changes? A population‑based longitudinal study

Heidi J. Syväoja¹, Tuuli H. Suominen¹, Tuomas Kukko¹, Marja A. Heiskanen^2,3, Jaakko Nevalainen⁴, Katja Pahkala^2,3,5, Xiaolin Yang¹, Juha Mykkänen^2,3, Terho Lehtimäki^6,7, Olli Raitakari^2,3,8, Suvi P. Rovio^2,3,9, Tuija H. Tammelin¹

1: Jamk University of Applied Sciences, Finland; 2: Research Centre of Applied and Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Turku, Finland; 3: 2 Research Centre of Applied and Preventive Cardiovascular MedicCentre for Population Health Research, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland; 4: Unit of Health Sciences, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland; 5: Paavo Nurmi Centre, Unit for Health and Physical Activity, University of Turku, Turku, Finland; 6: Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Finnish Cardiovascular Research Center - Tampere, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland; 7: Department of Clinical Chemistry, Fimlab Laboratories, Tampere, Finland; 8: Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland; 9: Department of Public Health, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland

Background and aim of the study: This study examined whether a polygenic risk score for cognitive function (PRS-COG) modifies the association between cumulative physical activity (PA) from childhood to midlife and cognitive changes in midlife.

Methods: We utilized data (n=1353, 57% female) from the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study, an ongoing population-based longitudinal study that began in 1980. PA was assessed at all study phases (1980–2018) with a standardized questionnaire every 3–9 years. Cumulative PA was determined from childhood to midlife (ages 9–48). Cognitive functions (learning and memory, working memory, reaction time, and information processing) were evaluated using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery in 2011 and 2018. Associations between cumulative PA and cognitive changes were analysed using linear regression models. Models were adjusted for age, sex, education, cardiometabolic risk factors, and health behaviors. The moderating effect of PRS-COG to cumulative PA was evaluated by adding an interaction term for the mean centred variables.

Results: PRS-COG and cumulative PA from childhood to midlife did not show statistically significant interaction effects on changes in any cognitive domain. Higher levels of cumulative PA were associated with a smaller decrease in information processing in midlife (β=0.05, p=0.008). Cumulative PA was not associated with changes in other cognitive domains.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that promoting PA across the lifespan may be associated with a smaller decrease in information processing in midlife, regardless of individuals’ genetic architecture.

Support/Funding Source: The study was supported by the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture (OKM/15/626/2024).