Measures to prevent and slow the progress of dementia are of major concern for an aging population. Alzheimer's disease is a progressive form of dementia that impairs memory, language skills, behavior, judgment, decision-making and other functions. Clinical and experimental studies suggest that exercise can help stave off the onset of Alzheimer's disease.
Effects of Exercise
Exercise is an effective tool for the prevention of Alzheimer's disease, according to Angela Lund, health outreach coordinator for the Mayo Clinic. Lund cites a University of Chicago study where researchers looked at the effect of exercise on the formation of plaque in the brains of mice. The special breed of mice had been engineered to produce the type of plaque found in Alzheimer's disease patients. The researchers found that mice that exercised had 50 to 80 percent less plaque formation in their brains than those that did not exercise.
Exercise, Humans and Alzheimer's
An October 2005 study published in "Lancet Neurology" examined information gathered from 1,449 subjects ranging in age from 65 to 79 years. These individuals had been questioned about their leisure-time physical activity. The surveys were done in 1972, 1977, 1982 and 1987. A 1998 examination of the subjects found that those who incorporated physical activity into their leisure pursuits at least two times per week had a significantly lower chance of developing Alzheimer's disease.
Exercise and Alzheimer's Among Women
A study done at the University of California in San Francisco looked at almost 6,000 women over an eight-year period. The subjects were evaluated to establish a correlation between brain function and activity level. The results of the study showed that the women who exercised more had a lower risk of losing cognitive ability. According to neurologist Kristine Yaffe, walking an extra mile per week reduces your probability of developing cognitive problems by 13 percent. Reduced cognitive ability is major component of Alzheimer's disease.
Considerations
The Mayo Clinic staff believes that exercise is currently the best defense against Alzheimer's disease. As little as 30 minutes of exercise per day a number of times throughout the week significantly lowers your risk of developing this debilitating degenerative condition. Some people are genetically predisposed to Alzheimer's disease. If you fall into this group, you should be especially vigilant about incorporating physical activity into your lifestyle.
