It doesn’t cancel out.
A recent study has found that extended periods of sitting may increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease—even among those who exercise regularly.
Published on May 13 in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia, the research revealed that adults who spent more time being sedentary were more likely to experience memory issues and brain atrophy, regardless of how often they worked out.
“Staying physically active isn’t enough if you’re sitting too much during the day,” explained Marissa Gogniat, assistant professor of neurology at the University of Pittsburgh and the study’s lead author. “Reducing sedentary behavior—even alongside daily exercise—can significantly lower the chances of developing Alzheimer’s.”
The study monitored over 400 adults aged 50 and older, using wearable devices to track their physical activity continuously for a full week. Participants were then observed for an average of seven years to assess cognitive and neurological changes.
Despite the fact that 87% of participants met national physical activity guidelines, those who sat for longer periods still showed greater signs of brain deterioration and performed worse on cognitive assessments related to memory and information processing.
Researchers suggest this points to prolonged sitting as a separate risk factor for Alzheimer’s, one that exercise alone may not fully counteract.
The connection was even more pronounced in individuals carrying the APOE-e4 gene variant, which is associated with a higher genetic predisposition for Alzheimer’s.
Angela Jefferson, senior author of the study and director of the Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer’s Center, emphasized the importance of breaking up long periods of inactivity. “It’s vital for brain health to move around throughout the day,” she said. “Even short breaks from sitting can make a difference.”
The researchers noted that more investigation is needed to understand exactly why sedentary habits may lead to cognitive decline.
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