Regular exercise can help prevent onset of Alzheimer’s

PEOPLE with memory issues could prevent the onset of dementia by exercising more than once a week, a study suggests.

Regular exercise is thought to boost molecules that support the growth and survival of neurons or increase blood flow to the brain.

Researchers examined the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease in nearly 250,000 patients with mild cognitive impairment – people who display more problems with memory and thinking than is normal for someone their age.

People with mild cognitive impairment are 10 times more likely to develop the disease in comparison with the general population.

Researchers found those who did moderate physical activity for at least 10 minutes more than once per week had an 18 per cent lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Among patients who exercised, those who did so three to five times a week had a 15 per cent lower risk of developing the disease than those who exercised less.

Those starting exercise after their diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment had an 11 per cent lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s, while stopping exercise after diagnosis was associated with the same risk as not exercising before or after diagnosis.

Dr Hanna Cho, of Yonsei University College of Medicine in South Korea, said: “Our findings indicate that regular physical activity may protect against the conversion of mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer’s disease.

“We suggest that regular exercise should be recommended to patients with mild cognitive impairment.

“Even if a person with mild cognitive impairment did not exercise regularly before diagnosis, our results suggest that starting to exercise regularly after diagnosis could significantly lower their risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.”

The research findings were publ i shed in the j ournal Alzheimer’s Research and Therapy.