Not all sitting is the same when it comes to brain health

Passive activities such as watching television have been linked to worse memory and cognitive skills, while ‘active sitting’ like playing cards or reading correlate with better brain health, researchers have found.

Associate Professor Paul Gardiner from The University of Queensland’s School of Public Health said the findings could be used to refine public health guidelines and improve cognitive health in aging populations.

“Health advice could shift from simply saying ‘sit less’ to encouraging more mentally engaging activities while sitting,’’ Dr Gardiner said.

“This could help people make easy, realistic changes that support long‑term brain health and potentially reduce dementia risk.’’

The study, one of the largest and most detailed reviews to date, examined the impact of passive and active sedentary activities on cognitive function in more than one million middle-aged and older adults from 30 countries.

“Total sitting time has been shown to be related to brain health; however, sitting is often treated as a single entity, without considering the specific type of activity,’’ Dr Gardiner said.

“Most people spend many hours sitting each day, so the type of sitting really matters.

“Mentally active sedentary activities include reading, playing card games and puzzles, computer use and driving, and relate to positive cognitive outcomes, particularly in preserving executive function, memory, and cognitive flexibility.

“These findings show that small everyday choices – like reading instead of watching television – may help keep your brain healthier as you age.’’

Researcher Cynthia Chen led the study and said the findings did not suggest more sitting, regardless of it being active or passive.

“We know that staying physically active is still essential for overall health,’’ Ms Chen said.

“But when we do spend time sitting, choosing activities that stimulate the mind may offer extra protection for our brain.’’

Ms Chen said the study was particularly relevant as the global population ages.

“Cognitive abilities often decline with ageing and sedentary time is highly prevalent among older adults,’’ she said.

“Dementia is the seventh leading cause of death globally and one of the leading causes of disability and dependency among older people worldwide.

“Research suggests activities requiring active thinking, problem solving and continuous learning can build cognitive reserve and thereby mitigating cognitive decline.’’

The research is published in Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.

Collaboration and acknowledgements