More than 55 million people worldwide live with dementia, a condition that significantly impacts memory and social skills.
While scientists are still unsure of the exact causes of dementia, certain lifestyle factors are known to increase the risk.
Habits such as smoking, poor diet, obesity, and physical inactivity have been linked to a higher likelihood of developing dementia.
At the same time, regular exercise has been shown to help reduce dementia risk, with studies suggesting it could lower the risk by as much as 20%.
New research published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine suggests that cardiorespiratory fitness may play a critical role in lowering the risk of dementia.
This form of fitness measures how well the circulatory and respiratory systems deliver oxygen to the muscles during exercise.
The study also indicates that high cardiorespiratory fitness may protect even those who are genetically predisposed to dementia.
To explore this connection, researchers analyzed data from over 61,000 people in the UK Biobank.
Participants were between the ages of 39 and 70 and had no signs of dementia at the start of the study.
They were asked to complete a six-minute exercise test on a stationary bike to assess their cardiorespiratory fitness.
Researchers noted that cardiorespiratory fitness declines naturally with age, dropping significantly from one’s 20s and accelerating further after the age of 70.
This study is not the first to link fitness levels with reduced dementia risk.
Previous research has shown that cardiorespiratory fitness can delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
The UK Biobank study followed participants for up to 12 years, during which nearly 10% developed dementia.
Findings revealed that those with high cardiorespiratory fitness had a 35% lower risk of dementia compared to those with lower fitness levels.
In addition, the onset of dementia was delayed by over a year for those with high fitness, even among individuals with genetic risk factors for the condition.
Researchers concluded that cardiorespiratory fitness could be a predictor of cognitive health.
Improving fitness through exercise might serve as a valuable strategy to prevent dementia, regardless of genetic predisposition.
The study’s findings emphasize the importance of noninvasive methods, like regular exercise, to reduce dementia risk.
Experts believe these results can empower individuals to take an active role in protecting their cognitive health.
Exercise has long been recognized as a key tool for maintaining brain health, complementing genetic and pharmacological approaches.
In addition to lowering dementia risk, fitness improves overall physical health and can help reduce societal and economic burdens associated with the condition.
Looking forward, researchers are interested in exploring how fitness affects brain health at different stages of life.
Future studies may also investigate the specific mechanisms by which fitness supports cognitive health, such as improved cerebral blood flow and reduced neuroinflammation.
Broader research involving diverse populations could confirm how these findings apply across different groups.
By focusing on strategies that encourage regular exercise, both clinical and community settings can play a role in reducing dementia risks.
These insights offer hope for a proactive approach to brain health and dementia prevention, showing that even small steps toward improving fitness can lead to significant benefits.