Published on: 18.01.2023 – 11:00
dr Jean-Marc Sène, sports doctor, presents his sports column in Priorité Santé every week. Today he talks about the benefits of physical activity to prevent Alzheimer’s disease.
Does physical activity help prevent Alzheimer’s?
Alzheimer’s disease is caused by the degeneration of cells involved in memory. It first affects the hippocampus, the brain region where new memories are formed, then spreads to other areas of the brain, gradually affecting other memory systems. Difficulty remembering recent events when memories made years ago seem to have been preserved is one of the first signs of the disease.
Many studies conducted in different countries show that people with regular and sustained physical activity have a lower risk of developing neurocognitive diseases. All studies confirm that people who engage in moderate or vigorous physical activity reduce their risk of developing a neurocognitive disorder by about 30% compared to those who do very little exercise.
What physical activities can be helpful?
The results of the studies recommend physical activity at least three times a week. In addition, you should ideally engage in 60 minutes of physical activity every day:
- Hiking, hiking at a good pace
- To swim
- tai chi
- To go biking
- gardening
- To dance
- gymnastics
- table tennis
In fact, physical activity stimulates brain activity by increasing the volume of gray matter, which is associated with memory and cognitive function.
The appearance of these first symptoms in people with high cerebral arousal is often also delayed by intellectual activity and the wealth of social connections. The disease would thus be compensated in the early stages.
Does sport still make sense after Alzheimer’s?
Absolutely, the beneficial effects of sport are confirmed even in the presence of the disease. Therefore, patients who are regularly physically active develop less rapidly than patients who are sedentary.
If you do exercise, keep doing it as long as it makes you feel good. Turn to sports that are less tiring and more suited to your physical abilities if you find them declining with age.
Also find a partner for your sporting activities: a friend, a neighbor. You can also take part in a gymnastics, yoga or dance class adapted to your age and physical condition. There you will meet new people and cultivate social contacts. In fact, these contacts also reduce the effects of Alzheimer’s disease.
In many cities, the municipality or associations offer walks, guided tours, museum excursions that you can take part in. If possible, go shopping on foot. If your health allows, gradually get used to giving up the elevator in favor of the stairs. First go to the first floor before taking it, then to the second and so on, but without constraint so as not to exhaust or discourage yourself. You will find that doing regular physical activity gradually becomes a real pleasure.