Title:Role of Education and Physical Activity in Executive Function Performance
of Adult Population
Volume: 16
Issue: 2
Author(s): Namrata Sharma*Shweta Shenoy
Affiliation:
- MYAS GNDU Department of Sports Sciences and Medicine, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, India
Keywords:
Executive function, middle-aged adults, young adults, education, physical activity, CANTAB.
Abstract:
Background: Executive function performance has been extensively studied in extreme
age groups, but the middle age population, where a decline could begin, is still under investigation.
The role of factors like education and physical activity that might influence cognitive performance
is not well understood.
Objective: The study aimed to examine the influence of age, education, and physical activity on
executive function performance and the interaction effects between these factors on two subpopulations
of adults, i.e., young adults and middle-aged adults.
Methods: 92 adults, 46 young adults (N = 24.4 ± 2.7 years, 25 postgraduates and 21 PhDs) and 46
middle-aged adults (N = 48.08 ± 5.79 years, 28 postgraduates and 18 PhDs), were included. Each
subject performed Delayed Matching of Sample (DMS), Spatial Working Memory (SWM), and
Multitasking (MTT) test on CANTAB. Physical activity levels were reported through IPAQ.
Results: Results indicated age to have a major influence on DMS, SWM, and MTT performance;
however, education was only found to influence SWM. MTT and SWM performance was found to
be lower in middle-aged adults in comparison to young adults. On comparison of test scores between
highly active and moderately active groups of middle-aged adults, no differences were
found; however, in young adults, MTT correct scores (p < 0.05) were significantly higher in the
highly active group in comparison to their counterparts. Interaction between age and level of education
revealed better retrieval in middle-aged adults with higher education in comparison to their
counterparts.
Conclusion: In comparison to younger counterparts, executive function performance deteriorated
around the middle ages. Education was found to play a protective role in executive abilities slowing
during middle age. Also, physical activity may play some role in executive function performance.
