Researchers from the University of California San Diego and Wake Forest University have found that both low- and moderate-high-intensity exercise can be effective tools in slowing cognitive decline among people at risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
The findings, published in two papers in Alzheimer’s and Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, are based on the EXERT study (Exercise in Adults with Mild Memory Problems)—a multi-site clinical trial involving sedentary older adults diagnosed with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a major risk factor for Alzheimer’s dementia.
Participants with amnestic MCI, characterized by memory complaints and objective memory decline, face a high risk of progressing to Alzheimer’s, with about 16% advancing to dementia each year.
“This is a critical time to intervene, because they don’t have dementia yet but are at very high risk,” said Aladdin Shadyab, Ph.D., M.P.H., lead author of one of the new papers and associate professor at the UC San Diego Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science and School of Medicine.
“Together, these findings show us that even low-intensity exercise may help slow cognitive decline in at-risk older adults,” Shadyab added.
The EXERT trial involved nearly 300 sedentary older adults randomly assigned to either moderate-high intensity aerobic training or low-intensity activities focused on stretching, balance, and range of motion. Participants exercised three to four times a week for 12 months under the supervision of YMCA trainers, with regular assessments of their cognitive function and brain volume.
“EXERT was one of the first large clinical trials to partner with the YMCA and its trainers to bring the intervention closer to participants’ homes,” noted Howard Feldman, M.D., director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study (ADCS).
“This approach brings us one step closer to implementing such programs in the broader community,” he added.
Interestingly, while researchers anticipated some cognitive decline over the course of the study, cognitive function in both exercise groups remained stable. This suggests that both low- and moderate-intensity exercise may help slow the progression of memory loss.
Another potential explanation for the stability observed is the role of participating in the research itself—engagement in intellectual and social activities, even outside of the exercise regimen, might offer protective benefits against cognitive decline.
The researchers also compared EXERT participants’ outcomes with data from a similar group who only received usual care, such as regular medical check-ups and medication management, further reinforcing the importance of physical and social engagement in maintaining cognitive health.
(With ANI inputs)
