Summary: Regular physical activity is not only good for the body – it protects the brain as we age. A 16 -year study out of more than 13,000 adults revealed that sustained physical activity considerably slowed down cognitive decline.
Even modest increases in weekly activity, mild tasks in vigorous exercise, were associated with measurable brain advantages. The results underline the value of the construction of long -term exercise habits to dementia and maintain the quality of life.
Key facts:
- Life advantage: Coherent physical activity for many years slows down cognitive decline in the elderly.
- All movement helps: Even light or moderate activities such as vacuum cleaner or gardening make a difference.
- Dementia demency: Regular activity could delay the start of dementia of several years.
Source: University of Georgia
Physical activity is widely recognized as an important aspect of a healthy lifestyle, but a new study by the University of Georgia found an additional advantage – avoiding cognitive decline.
Researchers from the UGA College of Public Health have analyzed data from more than 13,000 respondents to the survey and found that sustained physical activity can reduce the rate of cognitive decline for the elderly. These data show the importance of maintaining coherent physical activity throughout life, said the main author Suhang Song.
“We found that a longer and more frequent commitment in physical activity was associated with a delayed cognitive decline,” said Song, assistant professor in the Department of Policy and Health Management.
“These protective advantages have increased on the duration of the study.”
Even exercise only once a week makes a difference
The researchers relied on health and retirement data, a national study at the national level which followed adults aged 50 and over for 16 years.
Respondents reported how often they were physically active as well as their level of activity depending on the intensity. Vigorous activities included things like race and jogging. Gardening, dance or stretching were classified as moderate activities during vacuum cleaner, laundry and making home repairs was considered soft.
“If this slower decline continues, it could potentially delay the start of dementia for many years.” Said Suhang Song, College of Public Health.
The study did not examine the specific exercise time, but rather overall activity habits, and found that individuals who have undergone regular physical activity throughout their lives have experienced a much slower cognitive decline.
For example, the increase in vigorous physical activity from one to three times a month to once a week was linked to a measurable slowdown in cognitive decline. Even the increase in moderate physical activity from once a week to several times a week has led to a slower rate of cognitive decline over time.
“Improvement of the drop rate may seem modest, but it accumulates over time. If this slower decline continues, it could potentially delay the appearance of dementia of many years, which gives people more time to live independently and maintain the quality of life,” said Song.
Regular activity must be encouraged in practice and policy
The results are based on existing research which links physical activity to cognitive health, but what distinguishes this study is the accent on the duration and coherence of the activity over time.
The promotion of coherent physical activity can be a key element of any program to reduce the risk of dementia in the elderly, Song said.
Supporting the construction and maintenance of long -term physical activity habits, thanks to the advice of doctors and care providers, could help individuals adopt more sustainable routines by setting realistic and achievable objectives, the researchers said.
In the end, Song’s message is simple: moving more and maintaining activity.
“Our results provide support in information for targeted interventions that support physical activity in a timely, consistent and long -term time among the elderly,” said Song. “From clinical practice and on the side of the intervention, continuous physical activity is an important proactive measure.”
About this exercise and news from cognitive decline
Author: Savannah Peat
Source: University of Georgia
Contact: Savannah Peat – University of Georgia
Picture: The image is credited with Neuroscience News
Original search: Open access.
“”Long -term cumulative physical activity associated with less cognitive decline: evidence of a 16 -year -old cohort studyBy Suhang Song et al. Alzheimer’s disease prevention journal
Abstract
Long -term cumulative physical activity associated with less cognitive decline: evidence of a 16 -year -old cohort study
Introduction
Physical activity (PA) was reported to the cognitive decline. However, the role of the long -term cumulative AP (CPA) in the cognitive decline remains uncertain.
Methods
This longitudinal study obtained health data and retirement Study, 2004-2020. Global cognition has been operationalized as the sum of memory and executive functions on a battery of cognitive tests. The CPA was operationalized as a zone under the curve of the metabolic equivalent of the tasks (MET) adjusted PA. Generalized linear mixed models have been adjusted to examine associations between CPA and cognitive change.
Results
This study included 13,450 participants in good cognitive health, with an average monitoring duration of 11.06 years (and = 4.91). A higher CPA was associated with a delayed drop in global cognition (p<.001 memory="" and="" executive="" function="" such="" protective="" benefits="" grew="" over="" the="" study="" period.="" longer="" pa="" engagement="" was="" associated="" with="" progressively="" delayed="" cognitive="" decline.="" wp_automatic_readability="1.934693877551">
Conclusion
The commitment of the AP on long deadlines can better maintain cognitive performance.
