The Value of Exercise to reduce Dementia

Researchers have found a reduction of dementia occurring in older people who regularly exercise according to the findings published in the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association. "Some exercise is better than none."

"The analysis of exercise levels among British adults found that engaging in as little as 35 minutes of “moderate to vigorous” physical activity per week was associated with a 41 per cent lower risk of developing the condition after four years, compared to those who did none." 'Higher levels of activity were linked to an even lower risk, according to Dr Amal Wanigatunga, lead author of the research by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in the US, saying it suggested even some exercise was “better than nothing”.

The study of almost 90,000 people living in the UK, who wore smartwatches with activity trackers, found that dementia risks were 60 per cent lower in participants who did between 35 and 70 minutes of physical activity per week. The risk was 63 per cent lower for those who did 70 to 140 minutes and 69 per cent for those who did more than 140 minutes.

Dr Wanigatunga said: “Our findings suggest that increasing physical activity, even as little as five minutes per day, can reduce dementia risk in older adults. "

So lets get out there as older adults and exercise more.

Isabel Baker quotes from Penny Wood MSN News 17/8/25