Can a brisk walk today really lower your
#dementia risk years from now? 🧠
New research in
@TheLancet Healthy Longevity followed nearly 1,000 older adults with wearable sensors and found that while physical activity 🏃♀️ is linked to lower dementia risk, the timing matters most. Using repeated measures over time, scientists discovered that the protective effect of
#activity was strongest in the final two years before diagnosis - while baseline activity levels showed no link to dementia beyond seven years. This suggests that staying active in late life may help delay symptoms, even if brain changes have already begun.
Does low activity cause dementia, or is it an early sign of disease? By showing that baseline cognitive status didn’t predict future declines in
#physicalactivity, researchers argue that exercise likely acts as a protective factor - not just a reverse effect of disease. While more trials are needed, the takeaway is clear: it’s never too late to move. Staying active in your 80s could add years of healthy cognition.
thelancet.com/journals/lanhl…