ACAP (Adult Children of Aging Parents) offers podcasts providing informative and insightful discussions with experts in aging, family dynamics, and adult-child caregiving. Their February 2022 podcast discussed physical activity in the prevention of cognitive decline and dementia. Host, Frances Hall, and intern, Alexis Richmond, welcomed two experts from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro: Dr. Jenny Etnier and gerontologist Ann Marie DiSerafino, MS.
During the podcast, Dr. Etnier explains that there is a well-developed body of evidence telling us exercise can benefit cognitive performance and reminds us that one of the powerful things about exercise is that you can see immediate benefits. Even a 10-minute walk can boost your mood and improve cognitive performance.
We’re reminded that if you’ve been sedentary for a long time, the first time you exercise may not feel that great. There is no reason to push yourself too hard. Do something that’s reasonable for your first time. Then, slowly start to increase it. For example, start with a 10-minute walk and then increase it to a 12-minute walk. Dr. Etnier suggests that the most important thing about physical activity is to find something that you like so that you can keep up with it. If you like to be outside, you can go for a walk. If you like to dance, join a dance class or try a dance aerobics video. The goal is to make exercise a regular part of your life over the long term because, as Dr. Etnier says, “Then you’re going to accrue some really important physical and mental health benefits.”
Throughout the podcast, Dr. Etnier and Mrs. DiSerafino also discuss their on-going study, which explores the protective benefit of exercise for people with a family history of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Dr. Etnier says, “At the end of the study, if we do find benefits in response to exercise, we’ll be able to say with confidence that it was the physical activity that caused cognitive benefits.” Mrs. DiSerafino provides exercise instruction to participants in the study and says, “Resiliency and coping skills are obviously very important, for both older adults and caregivers. I see how these are built within an exercise format.”
Click here to listen to the full podcast to hear more from Dr. Etnier and Mrs. DiSerafino. Listen through to the end to learn how to stick with exercising.
Lastly, consider the take home message from the host, Frances Hall, “Take care of you and move. Get some activity every day.” How are you going to move today?