Still avoiding regular exercise due to too much “noise” in your head?
Forget body image; exercise once again has been shown to protect against dementia.
A study involving 73,411 people suggests that consistent exercise can reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s, stroke, anxiety, depression and sleep disorders.
That’s a pretty big bang for the buck: an assortment of conditions seemingly all over the map.
For example, untreated obstructive sleep apnea can lead to high blood pressure, which can in turn cause even more problems.
It also seems like it’s old news that regular participation in exercise lowers the risk of all these conditions.
But it can’t be over-researched or proclaimed too much: Exercise or being consistently physically active is essentially nature’s wonder drug when it comes to protecting the body against disastrous conditions.
How was this research done?
Researchers analyzed data from 73,411 people in the UK, averaging 56 years, who wore accelerometer devices to monitor physical activity for seven days.
These devices measured how much energy participants used during activities and how much time they spent sitting.
The study specifically looked at moderate to vigorous physical activities, which require an energy expenditure of at least three metabolic equivalents (METs).
For example, walking requires three METs, while more intense exercise like slow jogging may require up to seven METs.
A MET is equal to one calorie per kilogram of body weight per hour. Steady walking up a staircase uses about 8.5 METs.
The Results
The results showed that people who did more moderate to vigorous physical activity were 14% to 40% less likely to develop one of the five diseases – dementia, stroke, sleep disorders, anxiety and depression – compared to those with lower energy expenditure or a more sedate lifestyle.
The study also found a clear link between sitting time and an increased risk of these diseases.
People who spent more time sitting were up to 54% more likely to develop one of the conditions than those who sat less.
You may wonder if excessive sitting, in and of itself, directly causes disease process, or, if people with unhealthy lifestyle habits are simply more likely to spend a lot of time sitting.
These are great questions, and there’s an answer: Sitting for long periods of time on a daily basis is an independent risk factor for a shortened life.
More Objective Data
The study’s use of accelerometers provides more accurate data than does self-reported activity.
This makes the study’s results particularly valuable in understanding the impact of exercise on the brain and other components of body function.
Lorra Garrick is a former personal trainer certified by the American Council on Exercise. At Bally Total Fitness, where she was also a group fitness instructor, she trained clients of all ages and abilities for fat loss and maintaining it, muscle and strength building, fitness, and improved cardiovascular and overall health.
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