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Exercise prevents the development of dementia
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
Older adults who do vigorous exercise three or more times a week are less likely to develop dementia later in life.
Researchers at the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital in Florida (USA) analyzed the effect of physical activity at age 71 in 808 subjects participating in two national studies on aging. Respondents answered questions three times about whether they had engaged in vigorous physical activity in recent years, such as cycling, running, and heavy housework.
They found that those who did this kind of activity three or more times a week were 25% less likely to be diagnosed with dementia over the next three to seven years. There was no difference between the subjects in other health factors, such as high blood pressure or diabetes.
Barbara Bendlin, an associate professor at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, agrees with her colleagues' findings, but suggests conducting more research using other, more objective methods of measuring physical activity (movement sensors or analyzing oxygen consumption during exercise).
In addition, the main question remains unanswered: does physical activity reduce the risk of dementia, or does the development of dementia make people exercise less? Behavioural changes associated with dementia can appear several years before the disease is diagnosed. Therefore, it is quite possible that decreased physical activity is a symptom of cognitive decline.
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