A new study published in Age and Ageing, the scientific journal of the British Geriatrics Society, suggests maintaining a higher level of physical activity during middle age may be a key strategy for the prevention of dementia in older age.
Past studies have suggested that physical activity such as walking can be a protective factor against dementia but this study suggests that maintaining a higher level of physical activity before older age is more important for the prevention of dementia than physical activity only in older age.
Dr Yasutake Tomata, Senior Assistant Professor at Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine and author of the Age & Ageing paper, said:
“The findings of this study indicate the importance of maintaining a higher level of physical activity during middle age to prevent dementia in later life. Because ageing-related changes in the brain begin from early adulthood, we should pay attention to our lifestyle from a younger age. This result is just one of piece of the evidence, we expect further long-term studies.”
The Age & Ageing paper can be viewed here: https://academic.oup.com/ageing/article-abstract/doi/10.1093/ageing/afx078/3799582/Changes-in-time-spent-walking-and-the-risk-of?redirectedFrom=fulltext
British Geriatrics Society 