Association of mild cognitive impairment and physical activity level in older persons in Chile

•A low physical activity level was associated with mild cognitive impairment in a representative sample of older persons.•Stratified analysis by sex shows that low physical activity was statistically significant only among older men.•Physical activity should be encouraged to improve physical and cognitive functions among healthy older persons. Understanding the association between cognitive impairment and low physical activity is a useful way to proactively prevent MCI or delay the onset of dementia. This study aims to explore the association between MCI and physical activity (PA) levels in Chilean persons aged 60 and over. Data came from the 2016–17 Chilean National Health Survey data. MCI was evaluated with Mini-Mental State Examination and Pfeffer Functional Activities Questionnaire, excluding individuals with suspected dementia. The Global Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess PA levels. The association between MCI and PA levels was examined using logistic regression analysis, including overall and sex stratified models. A total of 1981 participants were analysed. The mean age was 70.7 years (SD: 7.77), and 63% were women. The MCI prevalence was 10%, increasing with age. The overall MCI model for low PA level showed an Odds Ratio (OR): 1.95 (95% Confidence Interval (95% CI): 1.18; 3.20, p = 0.009), meaning that a low PA level has a significant association with the risk of having MCI. The MCI model for PA levels in women was not statistically significant; however, the model for men showed an OR of 2.44 (95% CI: 1.17; 5.11, p = 0.018). A low PA level significantly increases the likelihood of developing MCI, and the risk was significantly higher among men. Therefore, promoting PA for older persons should be considered as a valuable prevention strategy among healthy older adults or those with initial symptoms of MCI.