▶3,000 Steps a Day: The First Step in Preventing Alzheimer's?
Is it possible to slow the rate of cognitive decline in older adults with early symptoms of Alzheimer's by simply walking 3,000 steps a day?
According to a recent report by CNN, a research team from the Department of Neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital in the United States
announced research findings that "increasing the number of daily steps can slow memory decline in older adults showing early signs of Alzheimer's disease."
The research team followed 296 adults aged between 50 and 90 over a period of 14 years.
The number of daily steps was measured using pedometers, and cognitive tests were conducted annually for an average of 9 years.
At the start of the study, PET (positron emission tomography) scans were also used to assess the accumulation of proteins in the brain.
▶Here Are the Main Results
Group walking 3,000 to 5,000 steps a day: The rate of cognitive decline is delayed by an average of 3 years Group walking 5,000 to 7,500 steps a day: Cognitive decline is delayed by up to 7 years Group that hardly walks: Tau protein accumulates rapidly and memory decline progresses faster
Interestingly, there was little difference in the rate of amyloid beta accumulation between walking groups. However, the research team emphasized, "Even if amyloid has already accumulated, consistent walking can slow the increase of tau protein."
▶Expert Opinion: "Exercise Alone Is Not Enough"
Since this is an observational study, it does not prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship.
Dr. Richard Isaacson of the Florida Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases
warned against the simplistic interpretation that "walking a few thousand steps a day can prevent Alzheimer's disease."
He pointed out that factors such as body fat, prediabetes, and high blood pressure also need to be considered.
