Leisure exercise linked to lower dementia risk in major study

A large international meta-analysis published in ‘The Lancet Public Health’ suggests that the type of physical activity significantly impacts dementia risk. The study, led by Natan Feter from the University of Southern California, evaluated 74 observational studies involving more than 4.2 million people across 30 countries.

Findings indicate that high levels of physical activity are associated with a 20 percent lower risk of dementia compared to those with minimal activity. Specifically, the risk reduction was 21 percent for Alzheimer’s and 29 percent for vascular dementia.

Crucially, the research distinguishes between types of movement: leisure-time activities, such as sports or hiking, were linked to a 24 percent lower risk of dementia. In contrast, physically demanding labor was associated with a higher risk of dementia.