Even a small amount of walking can slow changes in your brain. linked to alzheimer’s diseasenew research shows. In fact, the results show a very specific period of time when profits peak.
Researchers at General Brigham in Massachusetts tracked about 300 people. senior citizen People aged 50 to 90 who had no signs of dementia at the start of the study.
Over nine years, the research team tracked participants’ daily steps and used brain scans to measure amyloid beta and tau, two important proteins associated with Alzheimer’s disease. High levels of these proteins can signal early stages of the disease, long before memory impairment appears.
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Participants also took annual cognitive tests to monitor changes in thinking and memory.
The scientists focused primarily on people who already had elevated amyloid levels. This is because these people are at higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
High-risk people who walked only 3,000 to 5,000 steps a day, or approximately 1.5 to 2 miles, experienced delays in walking. Decline in cognitive function The press release states that it takes about three years compared to less active participants.
People who took an average of 5,000 to 7,500 steps each day saw an even greater effect, slowing cognitive decline by about seven years.
The study was partially funded by the National Institutes of Health and published in the journal Nature Medicine.
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Researchers also found that taking more steps was associated with slower accumulation of tau proteins in the brain. physical activity It can directly affect one of the most harmful processes of the disease.
People with naturally low amyloid levels showed no significant difference in cognitive outcomes based on the amount of walking they did. The most dramatic effects were seen in people who had already experienced early Alzheimer’s disease-related changes.
In contrast to the often-cited goal of 10,000 steps a day, in this study the benefits seem to plateau around 7,500 steps.
For older adults, going from very low activity to just a few thousand steps a day seems to make a big difference over time.
“This study sheds light on why some people who appear to be predisposed to Alzheimer’s disease don’t decline as quickly as others,” lead author Jasmeer Chatwal, M.D., of the Massachusetts General Brigham Department of Neurology, said in the release.
“Lifestyle factors appear to influence the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, suggesting that if acted upon early, lifestyle changes may slow the onset of cognitive symptoms.”
The researchers said that because the study was observational, they couldn’t prove that walking directly caused slower decline, just because they found a strong association.
People who walk more may have other illnesses as well. healthy habitsContribute to outcomes, such as better eating and social engagement.
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Additionally, the participants were mostly made up of healthy, educated volunteers who were willing to undergo brain scans, so the results may not apply to everyone.
Dr. Courtney Kloske, director of scientific efforts at the Alzheimer’s Association of Chicago, told Fox News Digital that this was “a very well-done study with some interesting results.”
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Kroske, who was not involved in the study, pointed out that recent research shows that moderate amounts of exercise are just one factor in a larger set of factors. Lifestyle factors It appeared to have significant cognitive benefits.
“We don’t yet know how much of each ingredient is present. [such as healthy nutrition, physical exercise, cognitive and social engagement] “It may have been particularly helpful,” she added.
The National Institute on Aging recommends some safe walking tips for older adults.
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“We want to help people protect their brain and cognitive health by staying physically active,” lead author Wai-Ying Wendy Yau, MD, a cognitive neurologist at Massachusetts General Brigham Neurology, said in a release.
“Every step counts, and even small increases in daily activity can add up over time to create lasting change. habits and health. ”
