中年期ちゅうねんき以降いこうの運動うんどう習慣しゅうかんが認知症にんちしょう予防よぼうに及およぼす影響えいきょう

So far, it has been widely believed that having a habit of exercising from a young age helps prevent the decline of brain function. However, according to newly published research, it has been confirmed that even if you start exercising after the age of 45, it can still help reduce the risk of dementia.

According to a study published in the American medical journal JAMA Network Open, participants who maintained the highest levels of physical activity during middle age 45–64 years and old age 65–88 years reduced their risk of developing dementia by 41% and 45%, respectively.

Dr. Sanjula Singh, a lecturer in neurology at Harvard Medical School and principal investigator at the Brain Care Lab at Massachusetts General Hospital, points out, This study shifts the discussion from whether exercise is good for the brain to the possibility that there may be a specific period when exercise has the greatest impact on brain health. However, Dr. Singh herself was not directly involved in this study.

It is estimated that there are approximately 57 million people with dementia worldwide, and this number is expected to triple by 2050.

Phillip Fan, an assistant professor of epidemiology at Boston University School of Public Health and the lead author of this paper, stated, “We wanted to clarify whether the impact of physical activity on dementia risk changes throughout adulthood or remains the same.” On the other hand, according to Professor Fan, due to limitations in how physical activity was measured in this study, they are unable to suggest a specific amount of exercise.

This index comprehensively evaluates sleep duration, sedentary behavior, and light to vigorous activities.

Furthermore, according to a 2022 study, walking 3.

Walking 800 steps a day reduces the risk of dementia by 25%, and the more steps you take, the greater the effect.

There are also reports that people who use bicycles instead of cars, buses, or trains have a 19% lower risk of dementia and a 22% lower risk of Alzheimers disease.

Associate Professor Fan emphasized, “Physical activity is known to be good for cardiovascular health, mood, and stress, and there are many more reasons to be more active.” The World Health Organization WHO recommends that adults engage in 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise per week.

Dr. Shin gives examples such as 150 minutes of brisk walking, 75 minutes of jogging or cycling, and strength training a few times a week.

Dr. Rafael Wald of the Marcus Neuroscience Institute at Baptist Health South Florida recommends that beginners start with short durations and low intensity, gradually increasing the intensity over time.

Excessive training can lead to orthopedic injuries and may even decrease athletic performance.

Dr. Wald also points out the importance of building habits that are easy to incorporate into daily life. For example, taking a 20-minute walk before work or having a short exercise break during lunch.

This study is based on Follow-up Survey 1.

526 young adults aged 26-44, about 2.

About 1,000 middle-aged people and about 900 elderly people.

According to the authors, no association was found between physical activity levels and dementia risk in young adults, but among elderly individuals carrying the APOE ε4 gene, a genetic risk factor for Alzheimers disease, those with higher physical activity levels had a 66% reduced risk of dementia.

On the other hand, active people may be able to practice other healthy lifestyle habits, may have better underlying health conditions, or may have factors that researchers have not yet identified.

Furthermore, since participants self-reporting their physical activity is prone to error, objective measurement using smart wearable devices will be necessary in the future.

According to experts, the reason why middle age and old age are particularly important for maintaining brain health is that vascular risk factors such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, thyroid disorders, and high cholesterol tend to appear during this period.

Dr. Wald said, It is clear that exercising during this period has a significant effect on reducing the risk of dementia.

Experts advise that if you want to review health habits and other risk factors for dementia, it is important to maintain balance and consult a doctor about all relevant factors.