Low scores were most common with type 2 diabetes and low activity
The group with both type 2 diabetes and low physical activity had the highest proportion of low cognitive test scores. Researchers compared four groups, defined by diabetes status and low or moderate-or-higher activity.[1]
- Type 2 diabetes
- Without
- Physical activity
- Low
- Type 2 diabetes
- Without
- Physical activity
- Moderate or higher
- Type 2 diabetes
- With
- Physical activity
- Low
Highest proportion of low scores
- Type 2 diabetes
- With
- Physical activity
- Moderate or higher
These were cognitive test results, not counts of dementia diagnoses. The paper was published on August 31, 2026; Juntendo University highlighted it on October 30.[1][2]
Activity was measured with a questionnaire
The researchers compared activity and cognitive test results at one point in time. They did not ask participants to start exercising and then measure changes.[1]
| What was studied | Details |
|---|---|
| Participants | 1,615 community-dwelling older adults in Japan |
| Measures | A physical activity questionnaire and the MoCA cognitive assessment |
Would becoming more active change the results?
The study did not measure what happened after people became more active. To learn which activities or amounts might make a difference, researchers would need to follow people as their habits changed.[1]