New Alzheimer’s Research: Does Exercise Type Matter?

We all know the regular physical activity should be a part of everyone’s daily routine. But does the exercise type and intensity of that physical activity matter? A new study posted in journal The Lancet: Healthy Longevity looked into whether or not exercise type played a role in Alzheimer’s disease mortality rates.

The data was collected from over twenty years of survey results from the US National Health Interview Survey. Once the data selection process was completed, a whopping 91,298 adults aged 68 or older were included in the review. Follow-up for the participants survey responses was conducted about 6.5 years after the initial survey.

The researchers looked at the answers from two survey questions in particular:

1. How often do you do light or moderate physical activity that consists of light sweating or a slight to moderate increase in breathing and heart rate for at least 10 minutes?
2. How often do you do vigorous physical activity that consists of heavy sweating or a large increase in breathing and heart rate for at least 10 minutes?

For moderate physical activity, there was no dose-response relationship between time per week this exercise type was performed and mortality rates for Alzheimer’s disease. This means that no amount of moderate physical activity appeared to have any impact on Alzheimer’s disease outcomes. Bummer!

On the other hand, time spent per week performing vigorous physical activity showed an astonishing connection with Alzheimer’s mortality rates. The researchers made the following conclusions:

If the entire US population began engaging in regular vigorous physical activity:

• 40 minutes per week would yield a 10% (12,238 people) reduction in Alzheimer’s deaths per year.
• 140 minutes per week would yield a 31% (37,710 people) reduction in Alzheimer’s deaths per year.

If you already engage in a physical activity routine, it might be a good idea to ramp up the intensity occasionally to get the full benefits of the exercise you’re performing!

CLICK HERE for more info about MAC’s fitness and wellness programs.

CLICK HERE to read the full study.