Weekend Warriors May Lower Risk of Mild Dementia as Much as Gym Rats
Good news for people who skipped the gym today – weekend warriors may be just as likely to lower their risk of mild dementia as gym rats, a new study finds.
Study Details
Over 10,000 middle-aged Mexico residents were divided into four groups based on their exercise habits – no-exercisers, weekend warriors who exercised/playedsports once or twice a week, regularly active people who exercised three or more times a week, and a combined group of weekend warriors and regularly active people.
Researchers from Chile and other countries monitored the participants for an average of 16 years and had them undergo an assessment to see if they developed mild cognitive impairment, which is often a precursor to dementia.
Findings
The study authors determined that weekend warriors are 25% less likely to develop mild cognitive impairment than people who don’t exercise. The regularly active group lowered their chances of mild cognitive impairment by 11%, and the combined group by 16%.
Methodology
The study authors took into consideration about 450 people whose scores on the assessment put them on the line for a mild cognitive impairment diagnosis. 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 say that 13% of cognitive decline cases might be avoided if all middle-aged adults exercised at least once or twice a week. Physical activity is known to improve brain health in a variety of ways, including increasing brain-derived neurotrophic factor concentrations, brain plasticity, and executive function.
Limitations
There were several limitations to the study, including that participants reported their dementia history and physical activity, which wasn’t objectively measured. Nevertheless, the study authors say their findings have important implications for policy and practice.
FAQs
Q: How does physical activity benefit brain health?
A: Physical activity is known to improve brain health by increasing brain-derived neurotrophic factor concentrations, brain plasticity, and executive function.
Q: How often should adults exercise to lower the risk of mild dementia?
A: According to the study, if all middle-aged adults exercised at least once or twice a week, 13% of cognitive decline cases might be avoided.
Q: Can weekend warriors really lower their risk of mild dementia as much as gym rats?
A: Yes, the study found that weekend warriors were 25% less likely to develop mild cognitive impairment than people who don’t exercise, similar to gym rats.
