RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between physical activity and cognition in age-related decline of college students and to find the correlation between physical activity with cardiovascular deconditioning. METHODS: The analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from January 1 to May 1, 2017, in different medical and engineering colleges of Rawalpindi and Islamabad in Pakistan.Data was collected through non-probability purposive sampling method. Demographic data was recorded and standardized assessment tools, including physical activity index and stroop colour word test for cognition, were used. Bivariate correlation analysis was used to determine association between different variables. RESULTS: Of the 702 subjects, 340(48.5%) were males and 362(51.7%) were females. The overall mean age was 21.84±1.73 years (range: 17-24 years), and mean body mass index was 22.12±3.6.Overall, 292 (41.8%) students were labelled as physically active and 410(58.8%) had sedentary lifestyle.Physical activity and cognition showed positive association (p=0.004) in students.Physically inactive participants showed cardiovascular and cognitive deconditioning with age (p = 0.68). CONCLUSIONS: Physical activity was found to be a key tool of cardiovascular health and cognition.It ameliorated overall health and brought better academic performance of students engaged in sports-related activities.