A recent study from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health reveals that just five minutes of daily moderate to vigorous physical activity can significantly lower the risk of developing dementia in older adults. This research, published in The Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, analyzed data from nearly 90,000 adults in the UK who wore activity trackers. The study found that engaging in as little as 35 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise per week was linked to a 41% lower risk of dementia over a four-year period.

The more exercise participants engaged in, the lower their dementia risk. Those who exercised 35-70 minutes per week saw a 60% reduction in risk, while those who exercised 70-140 minutes per week had a 63% lower risk. Individuals exercising over 140 minutes weekly experienced a 69% risk reduction. For every additional 30 minutes of weekly activity, the risk decreased by 4%.

Lead study author Dr. Amal Wanigatunga emphasized that even small amounts of exercise can make a difference, particularly for frail or nearly frail older adults. While public health guidelines typically recommend 150 minutes of moderate activity per week, this study supports the idea that some activity is better than none.

The study participants, with a median age of 63 and 56% being women, were followed for an average of 4.4 years, during which 735 developed dementia. While the study doesn't prove causation, it suggests a strong correlation between exercise and lower dementia risk. Researchers controlled for factors like undiagnosed dementia to ensure the results' validity.

Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News medical contributor, highlighted the study's significance, noting that even small amounts of exercise can be beneficial. He suggests that increased blood flow to the brain, improved waste disposal, and reduced inflammation might explain the positive effects. He also pointed out that exercise often correlates with other healthy lifestyle choices that benefit brain health, such as improved sleep and diet.

This research adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that even minimal increases in physical activity can significantly impact long-term health, specifically regarding dementia prevention.