It’s the secret to mental clarity.
A recent study has revealed that regular physical activity plays a crucial role in maintaining brain health and reducing the risk of various conditions such as dementia, stroke, anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders. The findings will be presented at the upcoming American Academy of Neurology’s annual meeting. Researchers emphasize the importance of staying active and how it can significantly contribute to better mental and brain health outcomes.
The study, led by Dr. Jia-Yi Wu from Fudan University in Shanghai, gathered data from over 73,000 participants in the U.K., with an average age of 56. The participants wore motion-tracking devices for a week, which recorded their levels of physical activity, energy expenditure, and the amount of time spent sitting. Using this information, the researchers were able to measure the physical activity of each individual in terms of metabolic equivalents (METs), a standard measure for energy use in physical activities.
The results showed that moderate activities like walking or light housework corresponded to around three METs, while more intense exercises like cycling could use up to six METs, depending on the intensity. Individuals who engaged in moderate to vigorous physical activity were found to have a 14% to 40% lower risk of developing brain and mental health conditions.
In contrast, the study found that those who spent more time sitting had an increased risk of developing these conditions, with risk levels rising by 5% to 54%. Dr. Wu highlighted the accuracy of this study due to the use of objective tracking devices, which provide more reliable data compared to previous research that relied on self-reported activity levels. This new information could help inform strategies to prevent brain health issues in the future.
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