Regular exercise and reducing cognitive decline – is there a link?
September, 2024
When it comes to working out or regularly engaging in physical activity, I think the mental impact is as important as the physical.
Exercise has been proven to be a fantastic benefit for mental health and emotional well-being, many people use it solely for this purpose. However, is there a link between exercising regularly and reducing the chances of cognitive decline in later life?
It is projected that 1.4 million people in the UK will have dementia by 2040. We know the devastating effects this can have on the person and those around them, so can being active actually decrease your chances of developing dementia or even mild cognitive decline?
Research says there is a link
While dementia and other cognitive diseases are still being heavily researched to find out how they can be best prevented, there is substantial evidence that shows that exercise can help to reduce the risk.
Adults (middle-aged and older) who undertake regular exercise can be 20% less likely to develop dementia. Inactivity plays a major role in impaired cognitive function in later life and contributes to reduced brain function.
Other risk factors, such as alcohol intake, smoking, social isolation, and head injuries, are also important, but physical activity has been shown as some contributor to a reduced level of risk.
What counts as physical activity?
You don’t have to commit to a 5k run every other day or start lifting serious weights to be counted as ‘physically active’.
Being active for up to 30 minutes on the majority of days throughout the week has been shown to help reduce cognitive decline. This can include things such as taking part in light aerobics, having a brisk walk, or even other daily activities, like going to a dancing or yoga class.
Studies on the link between being physically active and reducing the risk of dementia and other cognitive diseases have shown that activities like gardening or regular household cleaning has a positive impact too.
Really, the more active you are in your daily life the better it will be for your overall health and mental wellbeing. You don’t need to start going to extreme lengths and even undertaking some light activities will help keep your body and brain healthy.
The role of exercise in staying mentally healthy
There is still a lot of work to do to find out what types of activity help the most with reducing the risk of developing cognitive decline. However, evidence so far points to a clear link between being active, socialising regularly, and a decreased chance of dementia and other cognitive impairments in later life.
Not only that, but frequently keeping active and participating in various exercises does wonders for mental health in general.
If you’re finding it difficult to take the plunge to be more active, start off with some light and fun activities that keep your mind focused. It all helps and when you start doing this regularly you’ll find it becomes a positive part of your weekly routine.
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