Mental decline in older adults who live independently can be delayed if
they get regular physical activity, says a new study. Specifically, the study
reports that exercise can reduce the risk of vascular-related dementia by more
than 50 percent and cognitive impairment without dementia by 60 percent.
Vascular dementia results from blood vessel disease and is associated with
conditions like high blood pressure, plaque buildup in artery walls, diabetes
and stroke.
The study, which was reported in the online edition of Stroke, followed 638
people, average age of 74, for three years. Sixty-four percent said they were
physically active 30 minutes a day for three days a week.
Their activities involved walking, biking and taking gym classes. The
results were disappointing, however, when it came to protecting against
Alzheimer's. Researchers found no relationship between activity and the risk of
developing Alzheimer's.
(Source: John
Hopkins Health Alert, Memory 22 July 2013)
No comments:
Post a Comment