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What is the association between sedentary behaviour and cognitive function? A systematic review
Falck RS, Davis JC, Liu-Ambrose T.. British journal of sports medicine, 2016-05-06
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
Aim The increasing rate of all-cause dementia worldwide and the lack of effective pharmaceutical treatments emphasise the value of lifestyle approaches as prevention strategies. Emerging evidence suggests sedentary behaviour is associated with impaired cognitive function. A better understanding of this association would significantly add to our knowledge of how to best promote healthy cognitive ageing. Thus, we conducted a systematic review ascertaining the contribution of sedentary behaviour towards associated changes in cognitive function over the adult lifespan. Study design Systematic review of peer-reviewed literature examining the association of sedentary behaviour with cognition. Data sources We searched PubMed, PsycINFO, EBSCO and Web of Science, and reference lists of relevant reviews on sedentary behaviour. Two independent reviewers extracted (1) study characteristics and (2) information regarding measurement of sedentary behaviour and cognitive function. We also assessed study quality using the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) checklist. Eligibility criteria We limited search results to adults ≥40 years, observational studies published in English since 1990 and studies investigating associations between sedentary behaviour and cognitive function. Results 8 studies examined the association of sedentary behaviour with cognitive function. 6 studies reported significant negative associations between sedentary behaviour and cognitive function. 8 different measures of sedentary behaviour and 13 different measures of cognitive function were used across all eight studies. Summary Sedentary behaviour is associated with lower cognitive performance, although the attributable risk of sedentary time to all-cause dementia incidence is unclear. Our systematic review provides evidence that limiting sedentary time and concomitantly engaging in regular moderate-to-vigorous physical activity may best promote healthy cognitive ageing.
Key findings
- Emerging evidence suggests sedentary behaviour is associated with impaired cognitive function.
- A better understanding of this association would significantly add to our knowledge of how to best promote healthy cognitive ageing.
- Eligibility criteria We limited search results to adults ≥40 years, observational studies published in English since 1990 and studies investigating associations between sedentary behaviour and cognitive function.
- Results 8 studies examined the association of sedentary behaviour with cognitive function. 6 studies reported significant negative associations between sedentary behaviour and cognitive function. 8 different measures of sedentary behaviour and 13 different measures of cognitive function were used across all eight studies.
- Summary Sedentary behaviour is associated with lower cognitive performance, although the attributable risk of sedentary time to all-cause dementia incidence is unclear.
Why it matters
This systematic review of 8 studies found emerging evidence that sedentary behaviour is associated with impaired cognitive function in adults aged 40 and over. It does not establish that reducing sedentary time prevents dementia, but it identifies sedentary behaviour as a factor worth studying further for healthy cognitive ageing.
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Study details
- Study designsystematic review
- Evidence strengthHigh
How this study scored 65/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal, and it is a systematic review of all the studies on the question. Scored zero for sample size, effect reported and studied in people because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (British journal of sports medicine) |
| Journal's citation record | 3 / 4 | British Journal of Sports Medicine: journal h-index 312 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 12 / 12 | A systematic review of all the studies on the question |
| Strength of evidence | 5 / 5 | Rated “high” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 2 / 5 | 2017 — within 10 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | A review of other studies — randomisation is not credited here |
| Times cited | 6 / 7 | Cited 445 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 4 / 5 | 40.5 citations a year over 11 year(s) since 2017 |
| Impact for its field and year | 3 / 6 | Cited 4.4× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 3 / 6 | Cited by 11 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 3 / 4 | Cited 158 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 3 / 4 | Last-listed author Teresa Y L Liu-Ambrose: h-index 74 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 1 / 3 | University of British Columbia: institution h-index 1,424 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 2 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 27153869) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Total | 65 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
- DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2015-095551
- PubMed: 27153869
- Original source →
- Free full text: British Journal of Sports Medicine →
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Falck, R. S., Davis, J. C., & Liu-Ambrose, T. (2017). What is the association between sedentary behaviour and cognitive function? A systematic review. British journal of sports medicine. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2015-095551
Vancouver
Falck RS, Davis JC, Liu-Ambrose T. What is the association between sedentary behaviour and cognitive function? A systematic review. British journal of sports medicine. 2017. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2015-095551. PMID: 27153869.
BibTeX
@article{falck2017-27153869,
author = {Falck, R. S. and Davis, J. C. and Liu-Ambrose, T.},
title = {{What is the association between sedentary behaviour and cognitive function? A systematic review}},
journal = {British journal of sports medicine},
year = {2017},
doi = {10.1136/bjsports-2015-095551},
pmid = {27153869},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2015-095551}
}
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