Five Minutes of Daily Exercise Can Reduce Dementia Risk in Seniors: Research
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Synopsis
A recent study reveals that just five minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise daily can significantly reduce the risk of dementia in older adults. Researchers from Johns Hopkins University found that even minimal physical activity can protect against this debilitating condition.
Key Takeaways
- Five minutes of exercise daily can lower dementia risk.
- 35 minutes of activity weekly reduces risk by 41%.
- Study included 90,000 adults aged 50 and above.
- Exercise benefits noted even in frail seniors.
- World Health Organization recommends 150 minutes weekly.
New Delhi, Feb 22 (NationPress) Just five minutes of daily exercise, whether moderate or vigorous, can significantly help the elderly reduce the risk of dementia, as indicated by a recent study.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University in the US found that participating in as little as 35 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity weekly can decrease the likelihood of developing dementia by 41 percent compared to those who do not engage in any exercise.
The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, highlighted the positive effects of exercise, even among frail older individuals who are at a higher risk for adverse health outcomes. The research team noted that increased physical activity correlated with reduced dementia risks.
“Our findings indicate that enhancing physical activity, even with just five minutes a day, can diminish dementia risk in older individuals,” stated lead author Amal Wanigatunga, Assistant Professor in the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School’s Department of Epidemiology.
“This contributes to a growing body of evidence suggesting that any amount of exercise is better than none, particularly concerning age-related brain disorders that currently lack a cure,” Wanigatunga further explained.
The research, which analyzed data from almost 90,000 adults aged 50 and over in the UK, revealed that dementia risks were 60 percent lower in participants who engaged in 35 to 69.9 minutes of physical activity weekly.
Individuals who exercised between 70 to 139.9 minutes per week experienced a 63 percent lower risk; while those who partook in over 140 minutes per week had a 69 percent lower risk. Dementia, primarily stemming from Alzheimer’s disease, is among the most prevalent conditions impacting millions of older adults globally.
Although age is a major risk factor for dementia, research in recent years has indicated that the condition is somewhat preventable through lifestyle modifications, including better management of cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, and increased physical activity.
The precise minimum activity level necessary for a meaningful reduction in dementia risk remains unclear. The World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that adults engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise weekly, averaging 20 minutes each day.
