Physical Activity is Associated with Better Neurocognitive and Everyday Functioning Among Older Adults with HIV Disease

AIDS Behav. 2015 Aug;19(8):1470-7. doi: 10.1007/s10461-015-1024-z.

Abstract

We examined the association between physical activity (PA), neurocognitive impairment (NCI), and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) among older HIV+ persons. One hundred older HIV+ adults completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, a neurocognitive battery, and IADL scale. Higher levels of moderate PA were associated with lower odds of NCI (p = 0.01), even when covariates were modeled. The association between moderate PA and NCI was driven by executive function (p = 0.04). Higher levels of moderate PA were also associated with lower odds of IADL Dependence (p = 0.03), although this fell to a trend (p = 0.08) when including covariates. Follow-up analysis showed those with both NCI and IADL Dependence had lower moderate PA than those with neither (p = 0.03). While these cross-sectional findings suggest PA is associated with better neurocognitive and everyday functioning in older HIV+ adults, longitudinal studies utilizing objective PA methods are needed to evaluate directionality and mechanisms.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Activities of Daily Living*
  • Aged
  • Aging / psychology
  • Cognition Disorders / diagnosis
  • Cognition Disorders / physiopathology*
  • Cognition Disorders / psychology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Exercise
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • HIV Infections / psychology
  • HIV Infections / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Motor Activity*
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Surveys and Questionnaires