Regular physical exercise is one of the best things you can do to minimize the risk of dementia. Several lifestyle studies have found that aerobic exercise or any activity that raises your heart rate is of enormous benefit. Read on to find out more.
Mid-Life Exercising
Several studies on middle-aged people and the impact of physical activity on memory and concentration in later life were conducted. The results of 11 pieces of research revealed that physical activity can lower the chance of acquiring dementia by roughly 30%. In the case of Alzheimer’s disease, the risk was reduced by 45%.
Aerobic exercise can also improve the performance of healthy individuals participating in thinking tests. A month or more of regular aerobic exercise increases memory, attention span, and processing speed compared to regular non-aerobic exercises such as stretching and toning.
Later Life Exercising
Although fewer studies have been conducted with older individuals in good health, there is some proof that regular exercise can help minimize the risk of dementia. In a study of 716 individuals with an average age of 82, those in the bottom 10% of daily exercise were more than twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease than those in the top 10%.
Get Moving!
Want to start exercising but don’t know where to begin? Start by walking for five to ten minutes every day for the first few days as you figure out the best time and location for your walks. Once you’ve figured out the mechanics, start adding a few minutes to each walk. Make it a part of your lifestyle, something you take pride in, rather than a chore.
