No matter what your age is, start exercising, even a little—it is one of the best safeguards against dementia. People who have remained active throughout their adult life are the least likely to develop dementia in later years, but even those who take up light exercise after they retire will reduce their risk of cognitive decline.
Researchers from University College London tracked the health and activity levels of 1,417 participants in the British Birth Cohort who were born in 1946. Those who were active throughout their lives, from the ages of 36 to 69, were the least likely to develop dementia, even after the researchers had stripped out other risk factors of poor education, cardiovascular disease and mental health.
But if that ship has sailed, don't worry. The researchers said that taking up exercise, such as walking or cycling, later in life had a positive impact on cognitive ability as well.
“Being physically active at any time in adulthood, and to any extent, is linked with a higher later-life cognitive state,” said Sarah-Naomi James, one of the researchers. Even regular physical activity you do only once a month makes a difference.
J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry, 2023; doi: 10.1136/jnnp-2022-329955
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