New Study Finds Weekend Warriors May Be Just as Likely to Lower Risk of Mild Dementia as Gym Rats
Good News for Weekend Warriors
A new study has found that weekend warriors may be just as likely to lower their risk of mild dementia as gym rats. The study, which was published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, found that weekend warriors who exercised or played sports once or twice a week were 25% less likely to develop mild cognitive impairment than those who didn’t exercise at all.
Methodology
The study involved over 10,000 middle-aged Mexico residents who were divided into four groups based on their exercise habits: no-exercisers, weekend warriors, regularly active people, and a combined group of weekend warriors and regularly active people. The participants were monitored for an average of 16 years and underwent an assessment to see if they developed mild cognitive impairment.
Results
The study found that 2,400 cases of cognitive decline were identified, representing 26% of the no-exercisers, 14% of the weekend warriors, and 18.5% of the regularly active group. After accounting for age, education, tobacco use, sleep patterns, diet, and alcohol consumption, the study authors found that weekend warriors were 25% less likely to develop mild dementia than the no-exercisers.
Other Findings
The regularly active people lowered their chances of mild cognitive impairment by 11%, and the combined group by 16%. The study also found that compared with no-exercisers, weekend warriors were 13% less likely to develop mild dementia, and the regularly active group and the combined group each had 12% reduced odds.
Conclusion
The study authors conclude that the weekend warrior physical activity pattern and the regularly active physical activity pattern are associated with similar reductions in the risk of mild dementia. They estimate that 13% of cognitive decline cases might be avoided if all middle-aged adults exercised at least once or twice a week.
Physical Activity Guidelines
The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend that adults aim for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week, which can be spread over several days or done all at once, and two days of muscle strengthening.
Limitations
The study had several limitations, including that participants reported their dementia history and physical activity, which wasn’t objectively measured.
Implications
The study authors say that their findings have important implications for policy and practice because the weekend warrior physical activity pattern may be a more convenient option for busy people in Latin America and elsewhere.
FAQs
Q: What is mild cognitive impairment?
A: Mild cognitive impairment is a condition characterized by a decline in cognitive abilities, such as memory, attention, and processing speed, that is greater than normal age-related decline but not severe enough to interfere with daily life.
Q: What is the recommended amount of physical activity per week?
A: The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend that adults aim for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week, which can be spread over several days or done all at once, and two days of muscle strengthening.
Q: Can weekend warriors lower their risk of developing other diseases?
A: Yes, a different study found that weekend warriors can lower their risk of developing 264 diseases just as well as people who work out throughout the week.
