Study: Increased Physical Activity May Reduce Dementia Risk by Up to 45%
A large-scale study found that boosting physical activity during midlife or later can lower the risk of dementia by up to 45%, based on decades of long-term follow-up.
A recent study conducted by researchers at Boston University School of Public Health revealed that increasing physical activity during midlife — or even in later years — may significantly reduce the risk of developing dementia over time.
The findings were based on data from more than 4,300 participants from the Framingham Heart Study, all of whom were dementia-free at the start.
Participants completed detailed questionnaires regarding their sleep patterns and levels of physical activity, rated from “sedentary” to “light,” “moderate,” and “heavy.” Researchers evaluated their activity across three stages of life:
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Early adulthood (ages 26–44)
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Midlife (ages 45–64)
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Later life (ages 65–88)
Follow-up periods averaged 37.2 years, 25.9 years, and 14.5 years respectively, during which researchers monitored the onset of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.
Results showed that individuals with higher physical activity levels in midlife experienced a 40% reduction in dementia risk over 26 years compared to those with the lowest activity. Among older adults, increased activity was linked to a reduced risk ranging from 36% to 45% over 15 years.
Lead author Philip Huang explained that these insights may help guide more precise strategies to delay or prevent dementia, suggesting that the brain benefits of physical activity may begin earlier in life than previously assumed.
He noted that physical activity may protect the brain by improving its structure and function, reducing inflammation, supporting vascular health, and limiting harmful beta-amyloid buildup.
Despite some limitations, researchers emphasized that the study supports the growing evidence that regular exercise plays a key role in lowering dementia risk as people age.
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