We want to live as long as possible to enjoy the great adventures this Earth has to offer. However, we also want to be healthy and sharp. How can one decrease his risk of dementia? Well, a new research from the University of Queensland shows that you pretty much have to run away from your dementia. Especially if you’re a woman.
Exercising regularly improves your cognitive function, especially if you are a woman. Image credit: Alexreavis via Wikimedia (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Dementia is a cognitive decline, usually experienced by older people. It is caused by a variety of factors and conditions, the most common of which is Alzheimer’s disease. Age-related dementia is very common with most people experiencing it late in life. It causes a great deal of pain to the person who’s ill and his loved ones.
Dementia is, of course, an incurable condition. But you can do some things to lower its risk. Maintain good health by eating well, exercising your brain and your body. And that’s the key, according to this new research – you need to exercise, especially if you are middle-aged or older.
Scientists researched 16,700 Europeans aged between 54 and 75 over 13 years, looking for association between physical activity and cognition. They found that regular exercise improved the cognitive function of all adults, but especially women. Men enjoyed a 5 % of improvement of their cognitive function thanks to exercising, while women’s cognitive function was improved by 14 %. Scientists say that this kind of an effect can be reached through weekly moderate physical activity. More vigorous physical activity regime would result in 8 % of improvement for men and 15 % for women. Most importantly, you are not too old to start exercising – regular exercise can improve brain function and may protect against dementia in middle-aged and older adults.
And that’s just another reason for you to start exercising. Exercising also helps your heart, improves your mood and wellbeing. It helps fighting off various mental health conditions and you will definitely have that runner’s high if you exercise regularly. As our societies are aging, dementia is going to become a huge burden on public health institutions. Help them and yourself by exercising. Sabrina Lenzen, one of the authors of the study, said: “Preventing dementia would reduce the burden on individuals, the health system and the economy – so our findings are important for a range of groups including older people, doctors and policymakers.”
Of course, it is important to remain safe. Do not just jump into an intense exercising regime if you’re currently not very physically active. Consult health professionals as well as trainers. Also, during the time of COVID-19 pandemic exercise caution and avoid exercising with other people.
Source: University of Queensland