Alzheimer's risk lowered by any type of physical activity

[LongTomH]

This story is appearing in a number of forums, here is WebMD on the subject: Any Exercise May Cut Alzheimer's Risk At Any Age:

April 18, 2012 -- Daily physical activity may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease and mental decline even in people older than 80, according to a new report in Neurology.

And it's not just walking, running, or other exercises that count. Tasks like washing dishes, cooking, playing cards, and even moving a wheelchair with a person's arms count as physical activity and can help lower risk for Alzheimer's disease.

"This shows there is something we can do now that can be associated with a reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease," says Richard Isaacson, MD. He is an associate professor of clinical neurology and the director of the Alzheimer's division at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Isaacson reviewed the new findings for WebMD.

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In the study, researchers asked 716 older individuals without dementia to wear a device called an actigraph that monitors activity for 10 days. This is one of the study's strong points, as people don't always report activity accurately. Participants were age 82 on average. All physical activity was recorded. Individuals also were also given a battery of mental tests each year to measure memory and thinking abilities.

During about 3.5 years of follow-up, 71 people developed Alzheimer's disease. Those who were in the bottom 10% for daily physical activity were more than twice as likely to develop Alzheimer's disease as those in the top 10%, the study shows.

This is fascinating to me, since I've got a family history of Alzheimer's. Another good reason to start my exercise program.