By Lauran Neergaard — Associated Press, Tuesday 2 August 2022
New research hints that even a simple exercise routine just might help older Americans with mild memory problems. Doctors have long advised physical activity to help keep a healthy brain fit. But the government-funded study marks the longest test of whether exercise makes any difference once memory starts to slide. Researchers recruited about 300 sedentary older adults with hard-to-spot memory changes called mild cognitive impairment (MCI) — a condition that is sometimes, but not always, a precursor to Alzheimer’s. Half were assigned aerobic exercises and the rest stretching-and-balance moves that only modestly raised their heart rate. After a year, cognitive testing showed neither group had worsened overall, said lead researcher Laura Baker, a neuroscientist at Wake Forest School of Medicine. Nor did brain scans show the shrinkage that accompanies worsening memory problems. By comparison, similar MCI patients in another long-term study of brain health — but without exercise — experienced significant cognitive decline over a year.
Those early findings are surprising, and The National Institute on Aging cautioned that tracking non-exercisers in the same study would have offered better proof. But the results suggest “this is do-able for everybody — not just seniors healthy enough to work up a hard sweat,” said Baker, who presented the data at The Alzheimer’s Association International Conference. Participants were supposed to get moving for 30 to 45 minutes four times a week, whether on a vigorous treadmill session or stretching exercises. A key component was the social stimulation provided by trainers who worked with them at YMCAs around the country, which Baker credited with each participant completing over 100 hours of exercise. Previous research has found regular physical activity of any sort may reduce damaging inflammation and increase blood flow to the brain. Baker is now leading an even larger study of older adults to see if adding exercise to other can’t-hurt steps — such as a heart-healthy diet, brain games and social stimulation together — may reduce the risk of dementia.