Human study · Exercise · 1 Nov 2026
In adults aged 70 to 100, less weekly physical activity lined up with later cognitive impairment
Source: PubMed
What the research found
Lande, Rozenberg, Stessman, and Jacobs report in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease (November 2026; volume 114, pages 341-349; Epub 28 September 2026; DOI 10.1177/13872877261487392; PMID 42803718). The Jerusalem cohort born in 1920-1921 was assessed at ages 70, 78, 85, 90, 95, and 100 (n = 604, 1024, 1222, 729, 508, and 205). Self-reported physical activity was split into sedentary (under 4 hours a week) and active (more than 4 hours a week). The active share was 53.5 percent, 77.0 percent, 64.3 percent, 16.0 percent, 25.5 percent, and 27.1 percent at those ages. Cognitive impairment was an MMSE score of 23 or lower. Sedentary people at the earlier visit had higher odds of later impairment from ages 78 to 85 (OR 2.61, 95 percent CI 1.38 to 4.82) and from 85 to 90 (OR 2.90, 1.63 to 5.11). A similar pattern from 90 to 95 was not statistically significant. These are older adults. Sex was not stated. The study does not prove that physical activity prevents cognitive impairment. Not medical advice.
Evidence level: Human study. A study in people, but an association isn't proof of cause.
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