Study unveils relationship between physical fitness, cognitive decline
15 years, 9 months ago
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Posted on Jul 14, 2008, 8 p.m.
By Jeanelle Topping
Regular exercise and fitness training could help delay the progression of Alzheimer's disease in patients showing mild symptoms, a new study suggests.
Regular exercise and fitness training could help delay the progression of Alzheimer's disease in patients showing mild symptoms, a new study suggests.
Research published by the American Academy of Neurology and conducted at the University of Kansas School of Medicine in Kansas City, found that exercising regularly slowed down the process of neurodegeneration associated with the development of Alzheimer's.
The first study of its kind, to investigate the connection between cardiorespiratory fitness and the disease involved 121 participants aged 60 and above.
The study's author, Dr Jeffery M Burns said: "People with early Alzheimer's disease who were less physically fit had four times more brain shrinkage when compared to normal older adults than those who were more physically fit, suggesting less brain shrinkage related to the Alzheimer's disease process in those with higher fitness levels.
"People with early Alzheimer's disease may be able to preserve their brain function for a longer period of time by exercising regularly and potentially reducing the amount of brain volume lost."
According to the report, evidence indicates that reduction in brain volume is linked to poorer cognitive function.
