Exercise May Keep Alzheimer's
at Bay
Exercise not only helps keep you
young, research shows that it may
ward off one of the most dreaded
diseases of the old - Alzheimer's.
The study compared the exercise
habits of 126 elderly patients with
Alzheimer's and 315 healthy older
adults.
Researchers were particularly
interested in the subjects' exercise
habits between the ages of 20 and
59.
''The healthy individuals
reported significantly more physical
activity over the four decades than
those with Alzheimer's disease,''
said Dr. Arthur L. Smith, a clinical
research fellow at the University
Hospitals of Cleveland/Case Western
Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.
''The results suggest that lifelong
regular exercise may be protective
against the development of
Alzheimer's disease.''
Running, swimming, tennis, weight
training, biking and golf were among
the activities favored by those who
demonstrated a lower risk for
developing Alzheimer's.
According to Smith and his
associates, about four million
Americans are believed to be
affected by Alzheimer's disease, a
number that will likely double by
2030.
In addition to exercise, previous
studies suggest that individuals who
possess intellectually demanding
occupations and higher levels of
education and social activity are at
a reduced risk for developing
Alzheimer's.
Source: American Academy of
Neurology, 50th annual meeting,
Minneapolis, Minn., April 28, 1998 |
