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Study exercise effective against dementia
A new study has shown how important sport and exercise are for maintaining mental fitness in old age. By improving physical fitness, the progression of incipient dementia could be halted or at least slowed.
- More and more people suffer from dementia
- Physical activity studied as a possible therapy for incipient dementia
- Sports and exercise are important for maintaining mental fitness in old age
- Physically fit people with better cognitive performance
Effective against dementia: sports and exercise for the maintenance of mental fitness
In Germany, about 1.6 million people suffer from dementia. Worldwide, by the year 2030, more than 74 million patients will be affected by the neurodegenerative disease. A key risk factor for developing dementia earlier is physical inactivity. Exercise is of paramount importance for the maintenance of mental fitness in old age. That's what researchers have discovered.
According to researchers, physical activity may stop or at least slow down the progression of incipient dementia. (Image: Robert Kneschke / fotolia.com) Physical inactivity is a risk factor
According to the German Alzheimer's Association, almost 1.6 million people with dementia currently live in Germany. Two-thirds of them are affected by Alzheimer's disease.
However, it has been evident for years that the number of people with dementia continues to rise - and not only in Germany.
According to experts, demographic trends indicate that by 2030, more than 74 million people worldwide will suffer from dementia.
A key risk factor for developing dementia earlier is physical inactivity. Sport and exercise, however, are effective against the neurodegenerative disease, as researchers now report.
Prevent Alzheimer's
Dementia is not curable yet, but according to health experts, it is possible to prevent Alzheimer's disease by taking certain measures.
The Alzheimer Research Initiative e.V. (AFI) gives five recommendations for healthy aging in the brochure "Preventing Alzheimer's: Healthy Living - Healthy Aging".
The experts advise to keep the brain fit through mental training, to eat healthily, to socialize, to medically protect against risk factors and to move sufficiently.
Protection against dementia
That sport can provide protection against dementia has also been shown in scientific studies.
For example, researchers from Sweden recently reported on a study that effectively protects physical fitness from dementia.
Scientists from Germany now also want to investigate how exercise affects the neurodegenerative disease.
Effective therapy at the first signs of age-related dementia
First signs of dementia often show mild cognitive impairment and memory problems.
A research team from the German Sport University Cologne now wants to find out whether physical activity and fitness are an effective therapy at the first signs of age-related dementia.
An initial analysis of the relationship between activity, fitness and mental performance provides evidence for this.
People with incipient cognitive impairment were examined
According to a communication from the university, 121 people were examined with onset of cognitive impairment.
Depending on the severity of the cognitive impairment, it was assigned to one of three groups; A distinction was made between a subjective, an early and a manifested impairment.
The participants were asked about their physical activity and also equipped with activity monitors to objectively record their daily movements. In addition, a fitness test was carried out on the bicycle ergometer.
Sport and exercise for the maintenance of mental fitness
The results published in the journal "Journal of Alzheimer's Disease" are promising: The fitter the participants were and the more they moved in everyday life, the better their cognitive performance was.
The data clearly shows how important sport and physical activity are to maintaining mental fitness in old age.
The further course of the study will now show whether the current state of dementia is decisive for further development, or whether an improvement in physical fitness can halt or at least slow down the progression of incipient dementia. (Ad)