Light Exercise May Help Stop Memory Loss, Study Finds
A recent study offers encouraging news for older adults who are at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers from the University of California, San Diego, and Wake Forest University discovered that even light exercise could help slow down memory loss. Their findings were published in Alzheimer’s and Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association.
About the Study
The research was part of the EXERT study (Exercise in Adults with Mild Memory Problems). It was a multi-site clinical trial involving nearly 300 older adults who lived mostly sedentary lifestyles. These participants had amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) — a condition that includes memory problems and is known to significantly raise the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, around 16% of people with this type of MCI progress to Alzheimer’s each year.
Importantly, the researchers also compared the exercise groups to a separate group of similar individuals who received only standard medical care, like regular doctor visits and medication.
Exercise Programs Tested
Participants in the EXERT study were randomly assigned to one of two exercise groups:
- Moderate to high-intensity aerobic training
- Low-intensity stretching, balance, and flexibility exercises
They worked out 3 to 4 times a week for one year, always supervised by trained YMCA instructors.
Key Findings
Experts expected that participants’ memory and thinking skills would continue to decline over time. However, surprisingly, cognitive functions stayed stable in both exercise groups over the 12 months.
This result suggests that both low and moderate-high-intensity exercise may help slow down cognitive decline in people at high risk for Alzheimer’s. Even simple stretching and balance exercises appeared to offer real benefits.
Expert Opinions
Dr. Aladdin Shadyab, lead author and associate professor at UC San Diego, emphasized, “This is a critical time to intervene in this population because they are at high risk but have not yet developed dementia.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Howard Feldman, director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study (ADCS), noted that working closely with the YMCA helped make the exercise programs more accessible. “This approach brings us one step closer to implementing these interventions within the community,” he said.
Conclusion
This study highlights that light to moderate exercise could be a simple yet powerful tool to maintain brain health among older adults at risk for Alzheimer’s disease. It also shows that structured exercise programs can be made available locally, giving people a practical way to protect their cognitive health.
While more research is needed, these findings offer real hope: keeping active even with light exercise may help slow the progression of memory problems.
Source: Inputs from various media Sources
Priya Bairagi
Reviewed by Dr Aarti Nehra (MBBS, MMST)
I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.
