Daily Steps Linked to Considerably Delayed Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer’s risk Group
New research published in Nature Medicine suggests a simple increase in daily walking can dramatically slow the progression of cognitive decline, even in individuals with early Alzheimer’s indicators.
A study conducted by American researchers analyzed data from 296 participants aged 50 to 90, all initially cognitively healthy. Researchers utilized pedometers to track physical activity levels and monitored participants for two to fourteen years, conducting annual cognitive assessments. Brain scans were used to measure levels of beta-amyloid plaques and tau proteins – key biomarkers associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
The findings reveal a strong correlation between step count and cognitive health. Individuals walking between 3,000 and 5,000 steps daily – roughly 2 to 4 kilometers – experienced, on average, a three-year delay in cognitive decline. Remarkably, those increasing thier daily steps to between 5,000 and 7,500 saw their cognitive decline postponed by a ample seven years.
Specifically, the study demonstrated that in individuals with high levels of beta-amyloid, increasing daily step count was directly linked to slower cognitive decline and a slower accumulation of tau proteins. Conversely, a sedentary lifestyle was associated with a more rapid buildup of tau and a faster rate of cognitive deterioration.
“These findings explain why some peopel who show signs of Alzheimer’s disease do not decline as quickly as others,” explained Dr. Jasmeer Chhatwal, lead author of the study. ”Lifestyle factors appear to influence the early stages of the disease, suggesting that lifestyle changes can slow the onset of cognitive symptoms if we act early.”
The research underscores the importance of even modest increases in physical activity. Dr. Chhatwal emphasizes that “every step counts,” and a goal of 3,000 daily steps is a readily achievable target, even for older adults or those not regularly engaged in exercise. This offers a potentially accessible and impactful strategy for mitigating the effects of Alzheimer’s disease.
