The Health Benefits of Light Exercise in Preventing Dementia

SOURCE www.foxnews.com
Spending as little as five minutes per day on light exercise can significantly reduce the risk of developing dementia, according to recent research from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The study found that engaging in moderate to vigorous physical activity for at least 35 minutes per week was associated with a 41% lower risk of dementia over a four-year follow-up period.

Key Points

  • Even frail or nearly frail older adults may benefit from low-dose exercise in reducing dementia risk
  • Increased physical activity is linked to lower dementia risks
  • For every additional 30 minutes of weekly moderate to vigorous physical activity, there was a 4% reduction in dementia risk

Pros

  • Engaging in as little as five minutes of light exercise per day can reduce dementia risk
  • Moderate to vigorous physical activity for at least 35 minutes per week is associated with a 41% lower risk of developing dementia

Cons

  • The study was not a clinical trial that established causation indicating that exercise reduces dementia risk