Exercise, including household chores, lowers risk of dementia

Geneva - Frequent exercise, including doing household chores, lowers the risk of dementia, according to new research.

The study says mental stimulation such as interacting with family and friends can also ward off cognitive decline.

More than 55 million people worldwide suffer from dementia, which is the seventh leading cause of death, according to the World Health Organisation.

Frequent exercise including doing the housework can lower the risk of dementia, according to new research.

Dementia is the seventh leading cause of death worldwide, affecting an estimated 55 million people, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

It says there are around 10 million new cases each year. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, contributing to around two-thirds of cases.

A growing body of evidence suggests that keeping physically active from middle age may help maintain cognitive capacity and ward off dementia.

Exactly which activities and their intensity prevent dementia most effectively remains unknown. However, new research published in the Neurology scientific journal found that frequent exercise, including performing household chores, lowered dementia risk. Daily visits to and from family and friends also played a role.

The study analysed healthcare data from just over half a million participants. They were an average of 56 years old and were monitored for an average of 10 years, with slightly more females than males taking part. Genetic risk factors for developing dementia, as well as any family history of the condition, were taken into account.

During the study period, 5185 participants developed dementia. These tended to be older males who had a history of hypertension or higher levels of certain fats in the blood.

They also tended to have a lower socio-economic status and a higher body mass index. Those who took most frequent exercise had a 35 percent lower risk of dementia, according to Medical News Today.

Those who engaged in regular housework had a 21 percent lower risk, and daily interaction with friends and family reduced the risk by 15 percent.

The researchers say physical as well as mental activity protected against dementia regardless of genetic risk or any family history of the condition.

However, they also say going to pubs or social clubs and watching TV seemed to be linked to a higher risk of developing the disease,  but didn’t elaborate on why this could be.

The study says that there are several possible explanations as to why physical activity could reduce dementia risk. Regular aerobic exercise may improve blood flow to the brain, which could reduce cognitive decline that comes with ageing. Exercise also has antioxidant effects which could delay damage to the brain.

The researchers also noted that physical activity can indirectly influence other modifiable factors for cognitive function including obesity, hypertension, insulin resistance, depression and cardiovascular fitness.