Regular exercise could lower the risk of developing various life-limiting conditions, according to researchers. A preliminary study found that the more time you spend sitting, the higher your likelihood of developing dementia, heart disease, anxiety, depression or sleep disorders.
Maintaining an active lifestyle may be key to preventing these life-limiting conditions. The study’s author Jia-Yi Wu, of Fudan University in Shanghai, said: “This research highlights the role of physical activity and sedentary behaviour as modifiable factors that may enhance brain health and reduce the incidence of these diseases. It is promising to think that encouraging people to make these lifestyle changes could potentially lessen the burden of these diseases in the future.”
The study participants, who were, on average, 56 years old, wore accelerometer devices for seven days to track their physical activity. These measured the energy expended on activities and daily sedentary time.
The results showed that individuals with moderate to vigorous physical activity energy expenditure were 14% to 40% less likely to develop the five conditions than those with lower levels, reports the Express. It also found that the more time spent sitting, the higher the risk of developing one of the conditions, with an increase ranging from 5% to 54%.
You don’t need to start hitting the gym daily or doing intense exercise to reduce your risk of dementia. The research defined ‘moderate’ movement as simply walking and classed more vigorous physical activity as exercises like cycling, depending on your speed.
The Alzheimer’s Society has claimed that regular exercisers may be up to 20% less likely to develop dementia than those who don’t. Maintaining physical activity throughout midlife (between the ages of 40 and 60) also seems to have the best effect on reducing dementia risk.
The organisation suggests combining aerobic activity with strength-building exercises two to three times a week, such as swimming, dancing, tennis, yoga, tai chi, or Pilates, to help reduce one’s risk of dementia. But it doesn’t even need to be sports.
Getting active is enough to trigger these benefits. Activities like gardening, painting, and decorating can also count as exercise as you’re moving your body.
For people with a medical condition, it is best to go at your own pace and adapt any moves to suit you. If you decide to start walking for exercise, take a friend or family member with you if possible – or stick to familiar routes and tell someone where you are going.
Exercise isn’t the only way to slash your risk of dementia in later life. Certain health conditions, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes, may also heighten the risk of developing the disease.
Regular health checks are crucial in managing these risks. An unhealthy diet can also lead to health issues like obesity, which is associated with a higher risk of dementia.
If you have concerns about potential dementia symptoms, you should consult your GP. An expert will be able to assess your symptoms and diagnose any dementia.