Watching classic sports victories could help stave off dementia
oLdEr people can help ward off dementia if they look again at videos of sporting triumphs like England’s 2003 rugby world Cup win, experts claim.
nHs chiefs have called on Britons to watch classic moments including Jonny wilkinson’s famous late drop-goal against australia in the final.
research shows viewing sporting glory can stimulate parts of the brain that process emotional memories – and prevent cells deteriorating.
nHs experts say this can boost mental health and help people with dementia to stay active and alert.
The advice comes as the latest rugby world Cup kicks off in Japan today. Professor alistair Burns, nHs England’s clinical director for dementia, said: ‘reliving classic sporting games can be a tonic for the hundreds of thousands of people living with dementia.
‘as we age, the brain struggles to stay active and alert and this is particularly the case with conditions like alzheimer’s.
‘Yet “emotional memory” is stimulated and given a workout of its own when we rewatch classic matches and events from our younger years, like Jonny wilkinson’s immortal 2003 dropkick.
‘details may fade but the thrill, buzz and intensity of sporting drama stays lodged in our minds – and reawakening them keeps the brain match-fit.’
Professor Burns said many people would recall England’s football world Cup win in 1966 and the rugby victory 16 years ago and ‘remember exactly how that match made them feel’.
He added: ‘This emotion can hold the key to keeping brain deterioration at bay.’ He stressed healthy lifestyle changes would help also patients already diagnosed with dementia.
Caroline abrahams, of age UK said: ‘sport means a lot to many people in our society and that doesn’t change as we age. Engaging in sports, whether as participant or observer, can do people no end of mental and physical good.’
around 850,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia which is thought to cost the economy £26billion a year.
nTwo- thirds of people think dementia is a normal part of ageing rather than a medical condition, a global survey suggests. The poll of 70,000 people found 95 per cent believe they could develop the disease.
one in four UK health workers agreed that doctors and nurses ignore dementia sufferers.
Jeremy Hughes, of the alzheimer’s society, said: ‘dementia is not a natural part of ageing – it is a global health crisis.’
‘Keeps brain match-fit’