New Study Finds Link Between Physically Demanding Jobs and Cognitive Decline
A recent study conducted by the Norwegian National Centre of Ageing and Health, in collaboration with the Columbia Mailman School of Public Health and the Butler Columbia Aging Center, has discovered a concerning link between engaging in physically demanding jobs and a higher risk of cognitive decline.
The findings of the study shed light on the importance of taking preventive measures for individuals employed in physically demanding occupations to prevent cognitive impairment later in life. Published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe, the study delves into the concept of the “physical activity paradox,” suggesting that while leisure time physical activity can have positive effects on cognitive outcomes, work-related physical activity can lead to worse cognitive outcomes.
Unlike previous research on occupational physical activity and dementia, which largely relied on self-reported data and focused on a single measurement of occupation close to retirement, this study took a life-course perspective. By considering occupational trajectories from ages 33-65, the researchers were able to gain a better understanding of the relationship between occupational characteristics and cognitive impairment.
Using the HUNT4 70+ Study, one of the largest population-based studies of dementia, the researchers assessed the association between occupational physical activity and the risk of dementia and mild cognitive impairment. The analysis included 7005 participants, 902 of whom were clinically diagnosed with dementia and 2407 diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment. The study revealed that individuals with physically demanding work in the latter part of their working life had a higher risk of dementia and mild cognitive impairment.
These results highlight the need for continued follow-up on individuals with high lifetime occupational physical activity, as they appear to be at a greater risk of developing dementia. Furthermore, future research should explore interventions to reduce occupational physical activity or technological changes that alter activity to better understand their effects on the risk of dementia and mild cognitive impairment in older individuals.
The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health and the Research Council of Norway, with Ekaterina Zotcheva from the Norwegian National Centre of Ageing and Health serving as one of the co-authors. The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the importance of addressing cognitive health risks associated with physically demanding jobs and call for further action to protect the well-being of workers in these occupations.
