Just six minutes of vigorous exercise a day can delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease, new research suggests.
Scientists have found that short bursts of intense physical activity can extend the lifespan of a healthy brain and slow cognitive decline.
The team from the University of Otago in New Zealand recruited 12 people for their study.
They wanted to find the best way to stimulate the production of a specific protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).
The results of the study, published in the Journal of Physiology, showed that short but intense exercise was the most effective way to increase BDNF, increasing it by up to five times compared to those who fasted or did light exercise.
This protein is already known to be essential for brain formation, learning and memory, and it strengthens the brain’s ability to form new connections and pathways.
Animal studies have shown that increasing BDNF availability stimulates memory formation and storage, improves learning and improves cognitive performance.
However, pharmaceutical interventions – such as taking medication – have not been successful in increasing the amount of BDNF produced by the human body.
Participants were carefully analyzed as they undertook four different ways to increase protein.
This included 20 hours of fasting, 90 minutes of low-intensity cycling, six minutes of vigorous exercise consisting of 40 seconds of cycling and 20 seconds of rest, or a combination of fasting and exercise.
The results, published in the Journal of Physiology, showed that short but intense exercise was the most effective way to increase BDNF, increasing it fivefold compared to those who fasted or did light exercise.
The researchers suspect this may be because intense exercise increases the number of platelets released by the body – which store large amounts of the protein.
Lead author Travis Gibbons said: “BDNF has shown promise in animal models, but pharmaceutical interventions have failed to safely harness the protective power of BDNF in humans.
“We saw a need to explore non-pharmacological approaches that could preserve brain capacity that people could use to naturally increase BDNF to support healthy aging.”
A recent study also showed that one-minute bursts of daily activity, such as B. running for a bus, can help extend life.
Researchers at the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Center found that just three to four short episodes of huffing and puffing during daily tasks were associated with a 40 percent reduction in premature death.
It has also been linked to a reduction of up to 49 percent in the risk of death related to cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack or stroke.
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
