Lower risk of dementia with 'just minutes' of this daily activity, study says

Physical exercise isn't just good for the body but could help boost the brain, a new study has found. Latest findings highlight that even everyday activities, such as walking the dog or tackling the housework, can dramatically enhance the speed at which your brain processes information.

This study, carried out by a team from The Pennsylvania State University in the US, reveals that mere minutes of physical activity can result in a noticeable cognitive boost. As part of the study, which was published in the Annals of Behavioural Medicine, researchers analysed more than 200 middle-aged adults between 40 and 65.

They checked in multiple times a day on a smartphone app, reporting any physical activity they engaged in since the last check-in and then completing a series of brain games to test their cognitive abilities. Sharing his insights on the matter, lead study author and assistant professor of neurology and psychology Jonathan Hakun stated: "You don’t have to go to the gym to experience all the potential benefits of physical activity."

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He added: "All movement is important. Everyday movement counts as a source of accumulated physical activity that could be credited toward a healthy lifestyle and may have some direct impact on cognitive health."

Researchers said that on days when individuals engage in physical activity, regardless of intensity, from a casual stroll to a hearty jog, they exhibit improved processing speed akin to being four years younger. "We get slower as we age, both physically and cognitively," stated Professor Hakun.

"The idea here is that we can momentarily counteract that through movement. It’s compelling." He also noted: "There’s the potential for a brief walk or a little extra movement to give you a boost."

Although the study did not show any improvements in working memory – our capacity to store and manipulate information instantly – Professor Hakun highlighted that the reaction time on working memory tasks mirrored the benefits for processing speed. This suggests that exercise may have a more immediate effect on brain function speed than on advanced cognitive abilities.

These insights are bolstered by previous research linking regular exercise with a decreased chance of dementia. The Alzheimer’s Society reported: "Research has shown that people who take regular exercise may be up to 20 percent less likely to develop dementia than those who don't take regular exercise. "

It pointed out that shifting from a sedentary lifestyle to incorporating some exercise has the most significant impact and maintaining physical activity throughout midlife is seemingly the most effective for reducing the risk of dementia.

In line with this, the NHS offers various recommendations for lowering the risk of dementia.

• Ensuring a balanced diet

• Maintaining an optimal weight

• Regular physical activity

• Moderating alcohol consumption within recommended guidelines

• Quitting smoking

• Maintaining healthy blood pressure levels