Moderate exercise helps prevent development of Alzheimer’s

Moderate exercise helps prevent the development of physical signs of Alzheimer’s, known as biomarkers, in those who are at risk for the disease, researchers said.

The research presented during the annual convention of the American Psychological Association shows that at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise five days a week help achieve positive results, apa.org reported.

Ozioma Okonkwo from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and his colleagues examined 317 participants enrolled in the Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer’s Prevention, an ongoing observational study of more than 1,500 people with a history of parents with probable Alzheimer’s dementia.

The researchers compared data from individuals younger than 60 years with older adults and found a decrease in cognitive abilities as well as an increase in biomarkers associated with the disease in the older individuals. However, the effects were significantly weaker in older adults who reported engaging in the equivalent of at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise five days a week.

According to the researchers, lifestyle habits can modify the effect of what is commonly considered a risk factor for Alzheimer’s.

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