A coordinated analysis of 14 longitudinal studies covering 52,039 older adults found that more physical activity was associated with a lower risk of moving from unimpaired to mildly impaired cognition, a lower risk of death, and substantially longer estimated life expectancy. Evidence of benefit after impairment had already begun was present but less consistent between studies.
What it shows: Pooled analysis of 14 observational cohorts (52,039 adults, mean baseline ages 69.9-81.73) from North America and Europe; physical activity was self-reported and not randomised, so this shows association, not proof that activity causes the slower decline. Findings after impairment onset varied substantially between studies.Meta-analysis · J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci