Most people know that staying fit is a great way to maintain health. People who are physically active are less likely to suffer cardiovascular problems such as heart attacks or strokes (Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 2020). Regular exercise may even contribute to good digestive function (Digestive and Liver Disease, April 2018). In addition, scientists have concluded that people who walk, run, cycle or just move their bodies every day may delay the onset of Alzheimer disease (Journal of Sport and Health Science, Sep. 2020). Recent research adds to that evidence.
Seniors Benefit from Staying Fit by Gardening:
Gardening could have an unexpected benefit for senior citizens. In a recent study, older Scots who continued to garden were less likely to develop dementia in their later decades (Journal of Environmental Psychology, Aug. 2024). The unusual design of the study meant that investigators had access to the participants’ scores on intellectual assessment tests at age 11. They compared these to scores on the same test (the Moray House Test) at age 79. In addition, they tested volunteers at ages 79, 83, 87 and 90 with a battery of psychometric tests.
People who were engaged in gardening as a hobby had better cognitive scores than they’d displayed as youngsters of 11. Their non-gardening cohorts, however, generally had lower cognitive scores than in childhood. Those who gardened most often had the greatest gain in scores between 11 and 79. Staying fit with physical activity is part of the story. However, the researchers suggest that it doesn’t fully explain the link between gardening and cognitive function.
Veterans Staying Fit Ward Off Alzheimer Disease:
Previously, a large study hinted that increasing exercise benefits the brain as well as the body (Alzheimer’s & Dementia, Oct. 2023). To determine the effects of physical activity, the researchers put nearly 650,000 patients of the Veterans Health Administration on a treadmill. The results revealed each person’s fitness level. All were free from dementia when their fitness was assessed.
Over the subsequent decade, some of the volunteers developed Alzheimer disease or another form of dementia. Those in the most fit quintile were 33 percent less likely to get this diagnosis than those who were least fit. The absolute risk was 6.4 cases per 1,000 person-years for the most fit, compared to 9.5 cases per 1,000 person-years for the couch potatoes. The difference, about 0.3%, is small but statistically significant.
According to the researchers, most adults can achieve fitness by walking briskly two and a half hours a week. That would mean a walk almost every day.
This is not the first study to show that older people staying fit have less risk of dementia. The evidence has been mounting for half a decade or more. Here is our account of some interesting earlier research.
The Cardiovascular Health Study and the Risk of Alzheimer Disease:
Nearly 900 people participated in the Cardiovascular Health Study for 30 years (Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, March. 11, 2016). These volunteers, with an average age of 78, completed cognitive testing periodically. They also answered questionnaires about their physical activity and had MRI scans of their brains.
Those who participated in the most physical activity had larger brain volumes in their frontal, parietal and temporal lobes, including the memory center called the hippocampus. These individuals were 50 percent less likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer disease during the study.
Which Activities Help in Staying Fit?
Walking, dancing, swimming or gardening can all be beneficial. Obviously, gardening also helps people keep their brains healthy. In fact, any movement that gets a person’s heart rate up and has them breathing more rapidly can be helpful. People with mild cognitive impairment also seem to benefit if they increase their physical activity.
Learn More:
To learn more about preventing Alzheimer disease, you may wish to listen to our interview with Dr. Dale Bredesen. It is Show 1092: How Can You Overcome Alzheimer Disease? This article also covers the topic.
