Researchers have evidence that daily physical activity may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. You may be wondering if a certain method of physical activity is best. The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggest that the method by which someone chooses to be physically active is not important when it comes to health of the brain and body; spending enough time being physically active should be the focus. This means that you should find something you like to do.
Do you like to dance? Do you prefer lifting weights? Team members of the PAAD-2 Study enjoy walking. Walking is a very simple and easy method of physical activity that has been shown to prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
Many studies have explored walking and Alzheimer’s disease. A study conducted at Washington VA Medical Center found that those who maintained an adequate level of fitness were 33% less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease. This study followed a group of roughly 650,000 military veterans for nine years and concluded that those who were less physically active experienced dementia at a higher rate than those who were more physically active.
Let’s get outside and walk this week! An important aspect of walking is finding ways to enjoy the activity. You can walk with friends, family, pets, music, or a good podcast. Start out by walking a short period of time, for example, start with 10 minutes a day for 3 days this week. You can increase the minutes or the number of days as your body is ready. The main goal should be to walk often. Consistently being physically active is what may ultimately decrease your risk of Alzheimer’s disease.