Walks reduce Alzheimer's risk

Study: Slow walks of more than eight kilometers a week significantly reduce Alzheimer's risk

Regular walks can reduce the risk of getting Alzheimer's disease. That found a US-American science study of the „University of Pittsburgh“ in Pennsylvania. Just eight kilometers of normal or slow walking a week is enough to keep your cognitive abilities longer. Even those affected by regular walking can reduce the progression of the disease.

Exercise keeps your mental abilities fit
More and more studies indicate that a regular exercise to keep body and mind fit in old age. US researchers have now shown in a long-term study that only eight kilometers long walks a week are sufficient to reduce the progression of forgetfulness in old age. The study of Cyrus Raji physicians from the University of Pittsburgh was attended by a total of 426 elderly people aged 79 years and over. The participants split into two different groups. One group consisted of 299 healthy adults and the other of 127 people who had already had Alzheimer's or LKB (mild cognitive impairment). In the course of the study, the scientists wanted to find out what effects regular walks on physical and mental fitness have. In the second field of vision was how the continuous movement affects already ill patients.

First, the researchers determined how many kilometers the subjects walked on average per week on foot. Later, the data was recorded to compare after ten years. At the end of the observation period, scientists used a magnetic resonance tomograph to examine the brain and brain volume for changes. Because the volume is „a vitality feature of the brain“, the study author Dr. Cyrus Raji. When the brain volume has decreased, „This means that brain cells have died. If, on the other hand, it is unchanged, the health of the brain is preserved.“

After five years, the researchers tested which cognitive abilities the study participants had. For this they used the general standard test for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's and dementia (mini-mental status test). In the test, i.a. studied the intellectual abilities in writing, reading and arithmetic as well as language skills and memory. Subsequently, the researchers examined the results with the scope of the weekly walks. Influencing factors such as age, body mass, gender and head circumference were included in the data collection and taken into account accordingly.

Eight kilometers are enough to optimally delay the decline in mental abilities
The result: If the participants were already suffering from Alzheimer's or LKB, eight kilometers of slow walking per week are sufficient to optimally delay the decline in mental abilities. To reduce dementia and Alzheimer's risk in healthy volunteers, people should cover at least 9.7 kilometers a week. „Walking is not a cure for Alzheimer's, but it can strengthen the brain's resistance to disease“, The researcher Cyrus Raji concluded.

In Alzheimer's, cognitive performance is increasingly decreasing. First warning signs are a constant repetition of the same narratives, questions or phrases in older people. Decreasing to completely no longer exists the completion of everyday business, such as personal care and appearance, money transactions, answering simple questions and finding everyday objects. The causes of the onset of the disease are still not fully understood. Corresponding remedies could not be found until today. However, numerous studies have repeatedly shown that there are opportunities for risk reduction. Apparently, in addition to the regular exercise also the diet plays an important role. In another study, researchers from "New York Columbia University" were able to determine that the consumption of plenty of vegetables, fish and nuts can significantly reduce Alzheimer's risk. (sb, 29.11.2010)

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Picture credits: Rainer Sturm