Findings suggest that even frail older adults may benefit from a little exercise
We are all aware that physical activity and movement benefit brain health.
A recent study from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health now provides us with dramatic findings about reducing the possibilities of developing dementia.
Findings: Just a few minutes each day – as little as 35 minutes per week – was associated with a 41% lower risk of developing dementia.
A little movement could help prevent dementia, even for frail older adults, suggests the study led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
The researchers found that engaging in as little as 35 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week, compared to zero minutes per week, was associated with a 41% lower risk of developing dementia over an average four-year follow-up period. Even for frail older adults—those at elevated risk of adverse health outcomes—greater activity was associated with lower dementia risks.
Among 90,000 study participants, dementia risk decreased with higher amounts of activity.
The researchers found dementia risk decreased with higher amounts of physical activity. Dementia risks were 60% lower in participants in the 35 to 69.9 minutes of physical activity/week category; 63% lower in the 70 to 139.9 minutes/week category; and 69% lower in the 140 and over minutes/week category.
For their analysis, the researchers analyzed a dataset covering nearly 90,000 adults living in the U.K. who wore smart-watch-type activity trackers.
The study was published online January 15 in the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association.
Read the full news release from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health here.
Posted by:
Susan Troyer, MS, BA, author and curator of ABeautifulVoice.org
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