University of Southern California study links activity type to dementia risk

A large-scale analysis conducted by researchers at the University of Southern California has identified a distinction between different types of physical activity and their impact on dementia risk. The study analyzed data from 74 previous research projects involving over 4.2 million people across 30 countries, tracking participants aged 45 to 93 for an average of ten years.

While overall physical activity was linked to a 20 percent reduction in dementia risk, the benefits varied significantly by activity type. Recreational exercise was associated with a 24 percent lower risk of dementia. In contrast, physical labor performed as part of a job was linked to a 20 percent higher risk of developing dementia. This phenomenon, which scientists refer to as the “physical activity paradox,” suggests that the context and nature of movement play a critical role in cognitive health outcomes.