An increase in physical activity between 45 and 65 can help prevent Alzheimer’s, while inactivity would be harmful to the health of the brain. This is the most important conclusion of a scientific article published in Alzheimer & Dementia.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it is advisable to perform 150 to 300 minutes of moderate activity per week or 75 to 150 minutes of intense activity per week. It is estimated that 13 % of the cases of Alzheimer’s in the world can be attributed to the sedentary lifestyle.
Although it has broadly investigated how exercise is reduced the risk of Alzheimer’s by improving cardiovascular and mental health, recent studies suggest that physical activity can have a direct influence on the development of brain pathologies related to the disease.
The results of research into active life
The research was the result of a collaboration between the Institute of Global Health of Barcelona (Isglobal), promoted by the “La Caixa” Foundation, and Barcelona Sal Brain Research Center (BBRC), of the Pasqual Maragall Foundation. Led by Eider Arenaza-Uruquiko, researcher of ISGLOBAL, It has the participation of 337 people who belong to the Alfa study (Alzheimer’s and Families) of the BBRC.
Beta -Amyloid is a protein that can hinder neuronal communication if it accumulates in the brain and is considered the first pathological event of Alzheimer’s. “We have monitored a family history of Alzheimer in Catalonia for four years on a medium format,” explains Müge Akıncı, a doctoral researcher in Isglobal and first author of the article.
“We use questionnaires from Physical activity To evaluate the change in activity in a period of 4 years, and neuroimaging tests to analyze the effects of the exercise on the brain structure and function, “he adds. For this, people were classified as supporters (that is, they followed the WHO recommendations), no supporters (they conducted a physical activity less than recommended) and Sedentary (Zero Minutes of Physical Activity A Week).
Those participants who have increased their physical activity to the levels recommended by WHO that presented a lower accumulation of beta -amyloid compared to those who maintained a sitting lifestyle or reduced their physical activity. Moreover, it seems to be dose dependent; A greater increase in activity, a greater reduction in amyloid load.
Non -edentary participants also showed greater cortical thickness in brain -related brain areas. Cortical thickness in medial temporal areas is the key to memory, so the thinner or atrophy (loss of volume) is an early sign of neurodegeneration.
“Even those who have performed a physical activity less than the recommended showed a larger cortical thickness than the set -upWhat suggests that every level of movement contributes Health benefits”, Explains Müge Akıncı.
The research team studied both the increase in physical activity and compliance with WHO recommendations. They saw that the advantage of physical activity appears to be related to the increase in effort over time, rather than complying with a specific activity threshold.
“These results reinforce the importance of promoting middle-aged exercises as a public health strategy for the prevention of Alzheimer’s,” says Eider Arenaza-Uquijo. “Interventions aimed at promoting the increase in physical activity can be the key to reduce the incidence of diseases in the future,” concludes.