Walking as few as 3,000 steps daily is linked too a slower rate of cognitive decline in individuals with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease, according to a study published November 6, 2023, in JAMA Neurology. The research offers a promising, accessible intervention for managing the progression of the debilitating disease, which currently affects over 6.7 million Americans.
The findings suggest even modest increases in physical activity can yield significant benefits for brain health. While previous research established a connection between exercise and dementia prevention, this study focuses on those already experiencing symptoms, revealing that increased movement can demonstrably slow the disease’s advancement.Researchers tracked step counts and cognitive function in 62 individuals diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment or early Alzheimer’s, finding a correlation between higher daily step totals and preserved cognitive abilities over a period of 18 months.
Participants in the study, conducted by researchers at Boston University, wore accelerometers to track their daily step counts. The analysis revealed that every 2,000 steps taken beyond a baseline of 3,000 steps was associated with a slower rate of cognitive decline. This suggests that simply increasing one’s average step count-such as upping the count from 3,000 to 5,000-leads to marginally better health benefits.
Claire Thornton of The Boston globe reported that the study underscores the potential of lifestyle interventions in combating Alzheimer’s.She can be reached at claire.thornton@globe.com or followed on X @claire_thornto.
