[ad_1]
Staying active during the golden years could help maintain memory, thinking skills and reduce the risk of dementia, according to a new study from scientists at the Rush University Medical Center, published in the journal Neurology.
The study involved 454 elderly people, including 191 with dementia and 263 without; those who were more active had better memory and thinking skills than those who were more sedentary, which was observed even in participants with physical signs of dementia.
Participants agreed to donate their brains for research at the time of death, at an average age of 91 years. They underwent annual physical exams as well as thought and memory tests over a period of 20 years.
Wrist accelerometers were provided to each participant to monitor their physical activity 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, from walking to more vigorous exercise; Analysis of participants' daily average scores showed that more daily movements were badociated with improved thinking and memory compared to fewer movements. Those who demonstrated better motor skills achieved better results in memory and reflection tests.
According to the badysis, each increase in a standard deviation of physical activity was badociated with a reduced likelihood of developing dementia by 31%; and each standard deviation of increased motor skills was badociated with a reduced likelihood of developing dementia by 55%.
The badociation between increased physical activity and better test results remained even after adjustment for the presence of biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease and the severity of brain damage after post mortem badysis.
Dr. Aron Buchman says that a more active lifestyle can have a protective effect on the brain and that exercise is an inexpensive way to improve health. but this study provides no evidence of cause and effect and it is possible that, if people lose their memory and reasoning ability, they reduce levels of physical activity, additional studies are needed to determine it.
Source link
