Why it’s NEVER too late to start exercising: Sweating just once a month could help prevent dementia, study claims

According to a study, at any age, exercising just once a month can prevent dementia later on.

Staying active into adulthood is the best bet for good brain health after retirement, but even if you’re in your 60s, it’s beneficial, research suggests.

In the first study to look specifically at age, exercise and brain health in retirement, researchers at University College London wanted to see if the timing of an active lifestyle made an impact.

They found that those who exercise regularly as they age are more likely to have good brain health than those who practice spells and then give up.

But every level of exercise — from brisk walks to workouts at the gym — gave participants more brain power compared to those who didn’t, they said.

The researchers looked at data from 1,417 people who were then asked how much monthly exercise they did at ages 36, 43, 53, 60-64 and 69 years.

Depending on their answers, people were categorized for each period as inactive – no physical activity, moderately active – one to four times a month – and most active, five times or more.

Then they were given a battery of cognitive tests when they were 69 years old, including examining processing speed and memory.

Those who engaged in physical activity at least one to four times per month in all five separate surveys performed best in the tests, suggesting that physical activity is encouraged at all times during adulthood, even if they only participated once per month participated in, is linked to higher cognition,” the authors write.

This effect was greater than in those who exercised regularly for at least one study period, but did not necessarily maintain it over life.

The lead author, Dr. Sarah-Naomi James, said: “Our study suggests that recreational physical activity at any stage in adult life has a positive impact on cognition.

“It seems to happen between one and four times a month, even with light activity.

“In addition, people who have never been active before and become active by the age of sixty also seem to have better cognitive function than people who have never been active.

“The greatest cognitive effect was seen in those who remained physically active throughout their lives.

“The effect is cumulative, so the longer a person is active, the more likely they are to have higher cognitive function later.”

Part of the link between exercise and brain health was explained by education, childhood educational attainment and socioeconomic background, the researchers conceded in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, although the effect remained significant even when adjusted.

Although there is no sure way to prevent all forms of dementia, the NHS recommends that exercise, eating a healthy balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, controlling blood pressure and quitting smoking can help.

Dr Susan Mitchell, Head of Policy at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “This major study, spanning three decades and co-funded by Alzheimer’s Research UK, shows that it is never too late to take action and how important it is to try to keep it.our whole life to it.

“Importantly, this provides strong evidence that the more physically active we are, the greater the benefits for our brain health.”