Research project Due to world population aging, the number of people with dementia diseases is increasing. Dementia diseases has serious consequences for the individual, their relatives and incur a high societal costs. Therefore this study investigated if midlife physical activity is a potential protective factor for dementia diseases in high age.
The number of people aged 80 and over is expected to triple globally by 2050 and the risk of dementia increases exponentially with age. This study examined whether physical activity in middle age is a potential protective factor against dementia later in life. The analyses showed no association between physical activity and dementia, but people with higher levels of physical activity appeared to have better executive functions, which are often impaired in dementia. This study contributes to expanded knowledge about whether physical activity has a protective effect against dementia.
Globally, the number of people aged 80 years and older is projected to triple between 2019 and 2050. As the risk of developing dementia increases exponentially with age, the proportion of individuals with dementia is also expected to triple. Physical activity in middle age improves cardiovascular health later in life. Furthermore, physical activity in middle age may also reduce the risk of developing dementia in high age. However, the potentially protective effect of physical activity in middle age on dementia development later in life is not entirely clear.
This study investigated whether physical activity in middle age is associated with dementia development and cognitive function in high age. Self-reported physical activity in 541 in middle-aged individuals was linked to cases of dementia and cognitive function tests at the age of 80 or over. During the follow-up period, 175 individuals developed dementia. The results showed no associations between physical activity in middle age and dementia or cognitive function in high age. However, those with higher physical activity in middle age appeared to have slightly better executive functions, which include attention, concentration, and decision-making, which are often affected in the early stages of dementia.
Dementia can have significant consequences for the individual affected and their families, as well as imposing a significant societal cost. Given the upcoming increase in the number of people in high age and thus the number of individuals with dementia, this project investigated how physical activity in middle age is associated with dementia and cognitive function in old age. This knowledge can provide more clues to healthy aging and whether physical activity has a protective effect on the risk of developing dementia.
