Exercise Decreases Memory Loss

By Jonathan Belmonte P.T., M.S.

“Where did I park my car?” or “What is today’s date?” are two insignificant slips in memory that can send chills down the spine of an individual over 55.

A recent poll by MetLife reveals that about one-third of this population fears Alzheimer’s and its related dementia more than cancer. This can be fear of caring for a loved one or the fear of its devastating effect on one’s memory, personality, and ability to function independently. What compounds this dilemma is that most of the fear comes from lack of knowledge regarding this disease. As the exact cause and progression is not well understood by even the most astute researchers, the end result is a loss of cognitive function. Cognition is the brain’s ability to process information and put it to use. This can be remembering a grandson’s birthday or how to make a peach cobbler. At this time there is no cure or way to prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s, but recent research shows promise in ways to delay it. Recent studies illustrate a positive correlation between regular exercise and a low ratio of dementia onset. These studies state that an individual exercising 3 or more times per week developed dementia less than a person who exercised less than 3 times per week. Although not all research aimed toward dementia has produced such convincing evidence there are still many proven health benefits to regular exercise. Regular exercise provides improvements I blood pressure, diabetes, lipid profile, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and is also associated with decreased mortality and age-related morbidity in older adults.

Beside physical and mental benefits, exercise can raise a person’s quality of life by providing them with the ability to interact with family and the community on an independent basis. If you have a fear of memory loss or a desire to return to activities you once loved, regular exercise is a realistic outlet to be proactive about your well-being. Please contact a healthcare professional before beginning an exercise regimen.

Older Americans Fear Alzheimer’s the Most, While Most Adults Fear Cancer,
May 31, 2006 MetLife Foundation

U.S. Adults Fear Alzheimer’s More Than Heart Disease, Diabetes of Stroke, But Few Prepare
Robert J Nied, MD

Exercise Is Associated with Reduced Risk for Incident Dementia among Persons 65 Years of Age and Older, January 17, 2006
Eric B. Larson, MD, MPH; Li Wang, MS; James D. Bowen, MD; Wayne C. McCormick, MD, MPH; Linda Teri, PhD; Paul Crane, MD, MPH; and Walter Kukull, PhD