Physical activity mediates age differences in cognition among Tsimane forager-horticulturalists

Phoebe E. Imms, Nikhil Chaudhari, Daniel Cummings, Daniel Eid Rodriguez, Giuseppe Barisano, Paul L. Hooper, Katherine Sayre, Edmond Seabright, Randall C. Thompson, Linda Sutherland, James Sutherland, Benjamin C. Trumble, Michael Gurven, Jonathan Stieglitz, Caleb Finch, Hillard Kaplan, Wendy Mack, Margaret Gatz and Andrei Irimia
Additional contact information
Phoebe E. Imms: USC - University of Southern California
Nikhil Chaudhari: USC - University of Southern California
Daniel Cummings: The University of New Mexico [Albuquerque] - NMC - New Mexico Consortium, Chapman University
Daniel Eid Rodriguez: UMSS - Universidad Mayor de San Simón [Cochabamba, Bolivie]
Giuseppe Barisano: Stanford University
Paul L. Hooper: The University of New Mexico [Albuquerque] - NMC - New Mexico Consortium
Katherine Sayre: UC - University of California
Edmond Seabright: The University of New Mexico [Albuquerque] - NMC - New Mexico Consortium
Randall C. Thompson: University of Central Missouri
Linda Sutherland: MemorialCare Health Systems, Fountain Valley, California
James Sutherland: MemorialCare Health Systems, Fountain Valley, California
Benjamin C. Trumble: ASU - Arizona State University [Tempe]
Michael Gurven: UC - University of California
Jonathan Stieglitz: TSE-R - Toulouse School of Economics - UT Capitole - Université Toulouse Capitole - UT - Université de Toulouse - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement
Caleb Finch: USC - University of Southern California
Hillard Kaplan: IAST - Institute for Advanced Study in Toulouse
Wendy Mack: USC - University of Southern California
Margaret Gatz: USC - University of Southern California
Andrei Irimia: USC - University of Southern California

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Abstract: Background: The Tsimane and Moseten of the Bolivian Amazon are highly physically active and exhibit low rates of cognitive impairment and brain atrophy. Methods: We use structural equation modelling to examine how their physical activity levels mediate the relationship between (1) age and cognition, and (2) age and cognition via brain volume (BV). Results: Tsimane males (n = 305, mean +/- SD age = 59.94 +/- 9.68) and Tsimane females (n = 265, mean +/- SD age = 59.28 +/- 9.79) exhibit significantly higher levels of physical activity than Moseten males (n = 106, mean +/- SD age = 58.15 +/- 9.93) and Moseten females (n = 96, mean +/- SD age = 56.63 +/- 9.69). Physical activity significantly mediates the relationship between age and cognition in Tsimane males (indirect effect estimate beta=0.01, P < .01) and Tsimane females (indirect effect estimate beta= -0.04, P = .01), but not in Moseten males or females. Conclusions: Among Tsimane males, who are more physically active than Tsimane females, the association between age and cognition via BV is significantly mediated by physical activity. Among Tsimane females, mediation occurs directly via physical activity, bypassing BV. These results suggest that mechanisms of cognitive differences across ages differ by sex and population. Studying the relationship between brain atrophy and lifestyle in nonindustrialized populations elucidates biological and environmental correlates of brain health.

Keywords: Tsimane and Moseten; Exercise; Brain atrophy; Cognitive decline; Novel aging population (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025-07
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Published in The Journals of Gerontology: Series A, 2025, 80 (8), pp.glaf163. ⟨10.1093/gerona/glaf163⟩

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:hal:journl:hal-05218955

DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glaf163

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