Study: Even One Workout a Month Can Reduce Dementia Risk

The results of a 30-year study confirmed this.

According to a long-term study by University College London (MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Aging), even a small amount of physical activity reduces the risk of developing dementia. It is not necessary to engage in sports for a lifetime to achieve this.

It has long been proven that physical activity improves brain function in old age. However, science did not know how much and at what age one should start exercising to positively impact cognitive functions in adulthood. Now there is an answer to this question.

As part of the study, the results of which were published in the journal Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, scientists tracked the physical activity of nearly 1,500 individuals over 30 years and assessed their cognitive state, verbal memory, and information processing speed at the age of 69. Predictably, the best results were found in those who engaged in sports.

However, it was surprising to find that even participants who started exercising only at ages 50-60 showed better results at 70 than retirees who did not engage in sports at all. Moreover, it turned out that spending a lot of time in the gym is not necessary. Even one workout a month is sufficient. But maintaining physical activity throughout life is the most optimal option, the researchers conclude.

In other words, it is never too late to start exercising. At any age, it is an investment in your health.