How weekend warriors may have a lower risk of dementia than regular exercisers

Weekend exercise may be more effective in reducing the onset of dementia than working out Monday to Friday, a study has shown.

Researchers have found that so-called weekend warriors who exercise once or twice a week are less likely to develop mild dementia than those who exercise regularly.

The findings come a month after another study found that exercising on weekends reduced the risk of more than 200 diseases.

The study, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, found that people who exercised during the weekend were 15 per cent less likely to develop mild dementia compared to those who did not exercise. , while regular exercisers were 10 percent less likely.

After taking into account factors that may influence the results, such as age, smoking, sleep time, diet and alcohol consumption, the researchers concluded that both exercise methods had the same benefits.

The research team said that exercise may increase brain plasticity and the accumulation of molecules responsible for the growth and survival of neurons.

‘The easier choice for busy people’

Researchers from around the world, led by the University of the Andes in Bogota, Colombia, analyzed data from the Mexico City Prospective Study.

They analyzed results from 10,033 people with an average age of 51 and assessed their physical activity levels and rates of cognitive decline over a 16-year period.

In total, 7,945 people did not exercise at all; 726 were weekend warriors; 1,362 exercised several times a week; and 2,088 made up the combined group.

After 16 years, 2,400 cases of mild mental retardation were found.

The researchers concluded: “Weekend combat training may be a more convenient option for busy people around the world.

“This research is important because it suggests that even busy people can get mental health benefits by participating in one or two sports and exercise programs a week,” they added. to say.

They said that studies show that “about 10 percent of [mild dementia] cases would be eliminated if all middle-aged people could participate in sports or exercise once or twice a week or more frequently”.

‘Exercise linked to big memory’

The authors noted that there were limitations to the study, including that exercise patterns were self-reported and how much people exercised was not measured digitally, but they suggested several explanations. possible reasons why exercise can protect the brain.

They said: “Exercise may increase brain-related substances (molecules that support the growth and survival of neurons) and brain plasticity.

“Exercise is also associated with greater brain volume, greater executive function, and greater memory.”

A second study in the same journal also found that exercise of any intensity was associated with a 30 percent lower risk of death from any cause after a diagnosis of dementia.

The researchers, from the Korea University College of Medicine, said that people with dementia should be encouraged to continue or start exercising, especially since the average life expectancy after diagnosis it’s ‘dementia’ it’s only about four to five years.

Last month, a study of almost 90,000 people enrolled in the UK Biobank scheme found that weekend warriors who regularly exercise one or two days a week have a lower risk of developing heart disease. more than 200 compared to unemployed people.

Diseases ranged from high blood pressure and diabetes to mood disorders and kidney disease.