Fitness and childhood IQ are found to have an impact on cognitive ability in old age, according to a long-running study. The Scottish Mental Survey began in 1932 and has had participants take the same cognitive test at age 11 and 79.

In a new report, 460 men and women were assessed and it was found that physical fitness was a factor in their cognitive ability. Here it was measured by ability to walk six meters, grip strength and lung function.

Childhood IQ was, remarkably, linked into lung function at age 79. The researchers, from the University of Edinburgh, speculate this might be because those of higher intelligence make more sensible decisions about healthy living. This was backed by the finding that those in more professional occupations and with more education had better fitness and higher cognitive test scores. It may be that making efforts to improve your fitness would also improve your cognitive ability as you get older.

Source

Neurology 10th October 2006