Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity may lower the risk of dementia

Men who engage in a high degree of moderate to strenuous physical activity may be less likely to develop dementia. 44,000 persons aged 50 to 79 filled out questionnaires about physical activity, which were studied by Japanese scientists. They discovered that higher levels of physical exercise are connected to a lower incidence of dementia in males, but not in women. Dementia - a worldwide challenge Dementia is a leading cause of impairment and dependency among the elderly. Dementia affects over 50 million individuals globally, with nearly 10 million new cases diagnosed each year. Dementia is a public health priority according to the World Health Organization. In dementia studies, a loss in physical activity, for example, may not be the cause of dementia, but rather a consequence of the preclinical period of dementia. However, because the preclinical stage of dementia is so long, investigations using shorter follow-up periods have been unable to detect this link. For a long time, scientists have recognized that exercise is beneficial to the body. They've recently discovered that it's also helpful for the brain. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  Alzheimer's disease affects around 5.8 million Americans, making it the sixth highest cause of mortality among all people. It is the most prevalent type of dementia, which is a collection of symptoms produced by brain abnormalities that cause memory loss and other forms of brain dysfunction.  The disease's symptoms might occur after the age of 60, and the risk increases with age. According to the World Health Organization, 50 million individuals worldwide suffer from dementia. Links between physical health and dementia According to a Swedish study, stamina is linked to dementia risk. According to a study published in the medical journal Neurology, women with superior cardiovascular health had an 88 percent reduced risk of dementia than other women. Regular cardiovascular exercise, according to the Alzheimer's Association, can help lessen the risk of developing the condition, echoing a similar statement from scientists at the University of Southern California. They discovered that up to a third of Alzheimer's cases can be avoided by making lifestyle modifications, such as getting more exercise. The WHO has released the following recommendations for persons aged 65 and up:  

• Every week, do 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity.
• 75 minutes of strong aerobic exercise is also an option.
• Alternatively, a combination of moderate to strenuous aerobic activity with muscle-strengthening exercises.

Strength training has also been related to better sleep, enhanced moods, and cognitive wellness.  Any activity will increase blood flow to the brain, which is essential. Some exercises, such as dancing and boxing, enhance the brain because they require mental effort to learn and repeat steps. According to a study published in the Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, just one exercise session can improve how our brains work and the component of memory that allows us to remember familiar information. Two key areas of the brain are strengthened by exercise. Exercise increases the capacity of the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, which are involved in memory and learning. "While exercise will not cure Alzheimer's or dementia, it will significantly strengthen two of the disease's major targets," a researcher says. Better mood, memory, and concentration are three of the most significant mental advantages. According to the National Institutes of Health, physical activity improves cognition in older persons, even those with dementia. According to the National Institutes of Health, "encouraging research suggests that being more physically active is connected with a lower risk of Alzheimer's disease and a slower rate of cognitive decline in older persons." Exercising in mid-life Prospective studies track a group of people's health and behavior over time. Several prospective studies have looked at the impact of physical activity on middle-aged people's thinking and memory in later life.  Regular exercise can reduce the incidence of dementia by roughly 30%, according to a study that combines the findings of 11 studies. The risk of Alzheimer's disease was lowered by 45% in this study. Exercising in your later years Although there has been less research done on healthy older individuals, there is some indication that regular exercise can help older adults minimize their risk of dementia.  Adults in the bottom 10% of daily physical activity were more than twice as likely to get Alzheimer's disease as those in the top 10%, according to a research of 716 people with an average age of 82 years.