Lifestyle factors may individually protect against the development of mild cognitive impairment. We investigate the relationships between both self-reported physical activity and measured physical function with cognition in a population of elderly adults, more than half of whom follow vegetarian dietary patterns. Otherwise healthy adults (n = 127, mean age 74.9 ± 7.9 years, 61.3% current vegetarians) were assessed using a comprehensive neuropsychological battery. A principal components analysis derived processing speed, executive function, and memory/language factors. Participants reported current levels of vigorous physical activity on questionnaires, and physical function and mobility were measured with the Physical Performance Test (PPT) and Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test. Generalized linear models estimated β coefficients for cross-sectional associations between cognitive factors and indicators of physical abilities and self-reported physical activity. Better physical function indicated by PPT was associated with higher scores on the processing speed factor (β = 0.21 SDs for each 4.4-point increase in PPT score; p = 0.02). Faster TUG times were also associated with higher processing speed factor scores (β = 0.21 SDs increase for each 2.8 second less TUG time; p = 0.02). Self-reported levels of vigorous physical activity were not associated with any area of cognitive function; the association between PPT, TUG and processing speed was independent of physical activity. Associations between PPT and TUG and processing speed were stronger among participants who followed vegetarian dietary patterns. Better physical function may have an effect on cognition in a context of healthy lifestyles.

生活方式因素可以单独预防轻度认知障碍的发展。我们调查了老年人自我报告的身体活动和测量的身体功能与认知之间的关系，其中一半以上遵循素食饮食模式。使用综合神经心理学电池组对其他方面健康的成年人（n = 127，平均年龄 74.9 ± 7.9 岁，61.3% 目前是素食者）进行了评估。主成分分析得出处理速度、执行功能和记忆/语言因素。参与者在问卷中报告了当前的剧烈体力活动水平，并通过体能测试 (PPT) 和计时起立 (TUG) 测试来测量身体功能和活动能力。广义线性模型估计了认知因素与身体能力和自我报告的身体活动指标之间的横截面关联的 β 系数。 PPT 表明的更好的身体机能与更高的处理速度因子得分相关（PPT 得分每增加 4.4 分，β = 0.21 标准差；p = 0.02）。更快的 TUG 时间还与更高的处理速度因子得分相关（TUG 时间每减少 2.8 秒，β = 0.21 SD 增加；p = 0.02）。自我报告的剧烈体力活动水平与任何认知功能领域均无关； PPT、TUG 和处理速度之间的关联与体力​​活动无关。在遵循素食饮食模式的参与者中，PPT 和 TUG 与处理速度之间的关联更强。在健康生活方式的背景下，更好的身体机能可能会对认知产生影响。