New Research Highlights the Benefits of Light Exercise
A groundbreaking study from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore has revealed that engaging in as little as five minutes of light daily exercise can significantly reduce the risk of developing dementia. The research, recently published in The Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, analyzed data from nearly 90,000 adults in the United Kingdom who wore activity-tracking devices. The study found that individuals who engaged in at least 35 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week had a 41% lower risk of developing dementia compared to those who were completely inactive.
Lead study author Dr. Amal Wanigatunga emphasized the importance of physical activity, stating, “Our findings suggest that increasing physical activity, even as little as five minutes per day, can reduce dementia risk in older adults.” The study further highlighted that higher levels of physical activity led to a progressively lower risk of dementia, with those exceeding 140 minutes of exercise per week experiencing up to a 69% reduced risk.
Exercise Benefits Even Those at Higher Risk
The research findings suggest that even individuals at an elevated risk for adverse health outcomes can benefit from increased daily exercise. The data indicated that dementia risks were 60% lower among those who engaged in 35 to 69.9 minutes of exercise weekly, 63% lower for those in the 70-to-139.9-minute range, and 69% lower for those exceeding 140 minutes per week.
Over an average follow-up period of 4.4 years, 735 participants in the study developed dementia. However, for every additional 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous weekly exercise, the risk of dementia decreased by 4%. The most notable finding was that even frail or nearly frail older adults saw significant benefits from low-dose exercise.
While public health guidelines often recommend 150 minutes of moderate activity per week, this study supports a “some-is-better-than-none” approach, reinforcing the idea that any amount of movement can be beneficial. In addition to exercise, experts have suggested that managing cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels can also help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia.
Experts Weigh In on the Findings
Although the study does not establish a direct causation between exercise and dementia prevention, its findings align with previous research suggesting that Daily Exercise plays a role in brain health. Dr. Marc Siegel, a clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Health, acknowledged the significance of the findings, saying, “This is not proof, just an association, but it is very useful for people who feel discouraged about exercising due to illness or disability.”
Siegel also noted that increased blood flow to the brain, better metabolic waste disposal, and reduced inflammation could explain the connection between exercise and a lower dementia risk. Additionally, factors such as improved sleep, a healthy diet, and social engagement may contribute to cognitive well-being.
The study was funded by the National Institute on Aging and adds to a growing body of evidence emphasizing the importance of physical activity for maintaining brain health. While further research is needed to establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship, the findings suggest that even small lifestyle changes can make a meaningful difference in reducing dementia risk.
