A new study looks at how physical activity affects the risk of dementia. The study shows that you do not need to exercise a lot to reduce this risk.
Researchers from Johns Hopkins University found that exercising for just 35 minutes a week can lower dementia risk by 41 percent. This is compared to people who do not exercise at all.
Even small amounts of exercise help. Older people can also lower their dementia risk by moving more. Just a few minutes of exercise each week can be good for brain health.
In the study, scientists looked at data from 89,667 adults. The average age was 63 years. They used activity trackers to measure how much the participants moved.
Those who exercised 36 to 70 minutes each week had a 60 percent lower risk of dementia. For those exercising 140 minutes or more, the risk dropped by 69 percent.
The researchers say that anyone, even frail adults, can benefit from exercise. It is never too late to start moving more.
Every little bit of exercise helps, especially as we age.
Vocabulary List:
- Dementia /dɪˈmɛnʃə/ (noun): A decline in cognitive function affecting memory thinking and social abilities severely enough to interfere with daily life.
- Exercise /ˈɛksərˌsaɪz/ (noun/verb): Activity requiring physical effort carried out to sustain or improve health and fitness.
- Risk /rɪsk/ (noun): The possibility of suffering harm or loss; a chance of adverse consequences.
- Researchers /ˈriːsɜːrʧərz/ (noun): Individuals who conduct studies or investigations in a particular field.
- Participants /pɑːrˈtɪsəpənts/ (noun): Individuals taking part in a study experiment or competition.
- Beneficial /ˌbɛnɪˈfɪʃəl/ (adjective): Producing good effects; advantageous; helpful.
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