New research reveals that increasing physical activity between ages 45 and 65 can reduce Alzheimer’s risk by lowering harmful brain protein levels and preserving memory-related brain structures.
Key Points at a Glance
- Study links midlife physical activity to reduced beta-amyloid accumulation in the brain
- Exercise associated with greater cortical thickness in memory-related regions
- Benefits observed even with activity levels below WHO recommendations
- Findings suggest midlife as a critical window for Alzheimer’s prevention
- Promoting physical activity could be a key public health strategy
A recent study conducted by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) and the Barcelonaβeta Brain Research Center (BBRC) has found that increasing physical activity during midlife may offer protective benefits against Alzheimer’s disease. The research focused on 337 individuals aged 45 to 65, all with a family history of Alzheimer’s, over a four-year period.
Participants who met or exceeded the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended levels of physical activity—150 to 300 minutes of moderate or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous activity per week—showed lower accumulation of beta-amyloid, a protein associated with Alzheimer’s pathology. Additionally, these individuals exhibited greater cortical thickness in brain regions critical for memory, suggesting enhanced brain resilience.
Notably, even participants who engaged in physical activity below the recommended thresholds experienced benefits compared to those who remained sedentary. This indicates that any increase in physical activity during midlife can contribute to brain health and potentially delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
The study emphasizes the importance of midlife as a sensitive period for interventions aimed at preventing neurodegenerative diseases. Incorporating regular physical activity into daily routines—such as walking, cycling, or gardening—could serve as an effective public health strategy to reduce the incidence of Alzheimer’s in the aging population.
