THE EFFECT OF ACTIGRAPHY MEASURED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ON EXECUTIVE FUNCTION IN OLDER ADULTS

Abstract Executive function (i.e., decision making, self-control, planning) is important for facilitating independent living in older adults. Physical activity may preserve executive function, but previous research has demonstrated sex differences both physical and among Few studies have investigated the association between two. We examined associations objectively measured with attention to differences. recruited N = 204 participants (Mage =71, SD=6.36; 57% women) (n=47) without (n=157) Alzheimer’s disease from University of Kansas Disease Research Center. used wrist-worn accelerometers (Actigraph GT9X) measure 24 hours a day 7 days free-living environment. categorized as moderate vigorous (MVPA) based on Montoye (2020) Adult Vector Magnitude cut-points. evaluated MVPA using multiple regression an interaction term, adjusting age, education, dementia status. composite score combine tests (Digit Symbol Substitution, Stroop Interference, Trail making Part B, Verbal Fluency). Results indicated, age lower education were associated scores (β=-2.12, p < 0.001; B=2.13, .05). In contrast research, we did not find evidence MVPA, nor two our sample. Future should investigate whether individualized exercise-based interventions treatment men women differentially benefit cognitive function.