Key points from article :
Researchers at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm explored the link between physical fitness and dementia risk by studying 61,214 individuals aged 39-70 from the UK Biobank.
Participants enrolled between 2009 and 2010, underwent fitness tests using stationary bikes, and completed neuropsychological assessments. The researchers also analyzed their genetic predisposition to Alzheimer’s disease using polygenic risk scores. The study tracked participants’ health for up to 12 years to examine the long-term effects of fitness on brain health.
The study, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, found that individuals with the highest cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) demonstrated better cognitive function and a 35% lower risk of developing dementia, even if genetically predisposed. Higher CRF was associated with an 18-month delay in dementia onset, providing a significant buffer against cognitive decline in middle and older age. These findings highlight the protective role of physical fitness in brain health.
Dementia organizations emphasized the importance of exercise in reducing risk. These findings are especially promising for individuals with a higher genetic risk.
The researchers noted that while their findings are observational, they suggest improving CRF could serve as a strategy for dementia prevention. Alongside established lifestyle factors like avoiding smoking, limiting alcohol, and staying mentally active, regular exercise emerges as a critical tool for maintaining brain health.
This research underscores the role of a healthy lifestyle in reducing dementia risk and delaying its onset, providing hope for mitigating one of the most challenging conditions associated with aging. Further studies could clarify how fitness impacts the brain and refine prevention strategies.
