Women Versus Men: Comparative Analysis of Physical Activity and Mobile Phone Usage on Cognitive Performance

In this digital world, the critical interconnections of lifestyle risk factors for brain and mental health, and the relationship between smartphone usage, physical activity, and cognitive performance among men and women need to be explored. The aim of this study was to understand how the usage time of smartphones and involvement in physical activity can impact cognitive function among biological female and male individuals. To analyze the cognitive performance changes, we used a self-reported survey involving 221 participants aged between 18-90 from Kerala and Tamil Nadu using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the activities of daily life questionnaire. The mean cognitive task scores of naming, language, delayed recall memory, attention, abstraction, orientation, and spatial memory were analyzed and significant changes between men and women were analyzed using statistical analysis. Overall cognitive score analysis suggested that women performed better than men in naming, language, recall memory, abstraction, and orientation, whereas men outperformed women in tasks related to attention and visuospatial skills. Involvement in physical activity showed augmented cognitive scores across men and women. Mobile phone usage between 30 and 60 minutes daily, can positively impact memory and learning, contributing to improved cognitive health. Our findings will help develop comprehensive strategies involving technology to assess cognitive health and potentially delay or prevent dementia.