One of the most common neurodegenerative diseases that cause dementia in the elderly is ‘Alzheimer’s disease.’ It is a disease that reduces various cognitive functions, including memory, language, and judgment, making daily life difficult. It is known that episodic memory is mainly impaired in the early stages.
According to the Central Dementia Center’s 2022 annual report, the estimated number of purchasers aged 60 or older is approximately 960,000, and the estimated purchase prevalence rate is 7.3%.
Although the exact pathogenesis and cause of Alzheimer’s disease are not clearly understood, it is believed that the core mechanism of the disease is that a small protein called amyloid beta is excessively produced and deposited in the brain, causing harmful effects on brain cells. It is also reported that genetic factors account for approximately 40 to 50% of the total incidence of Alzheimer’s disease.
Because there is currently no clear treatment for Alzheimer’s disease other than symptom improvement drugs, prevention through lifestyle improvement is more important than treatment. In this regard, research has shown that high-intensity walking exercise after middle age can slow or prevent cognitive decline, drawing attention.
Announcement of research team at Hallym University Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital
Exercising to the point of sweating is more effective than the non-walking group
The research team of Professor Ji-Wook Kim (corresponding author), Professor Young-Min Choi (first author), and Professor Kook-Hee Seo of the Department of Psychiatry at Hallym University Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital, Professor Hyun-Soo Kim of the Department of Laboratory Medicine, and Professor Jong-Wan Kim of the Department of Surgery, concluded, ‘The effect of high-intensity walking and memory in middle-aged people in physically healthy elderly people. A study on ‘correlation’ was published.
The research team investigated the relationship between walking activity and cognitive function among 188 elderly people aged 65 to 90 who participated in a cohort study at Hallym University Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital, 107 with normal cognitive function and 81 with mild cognitive impairment. Walking activities were classified by frequency, duration, intensity, and starting age.
As a result of the analysis, compared to the ‘non-walking’ group, the ‘walking activity’ group showed higher cognitive function related to Alzheimer’s disease and superior overall cognitive ability.
The ‘high-intensity’ walking intensity group (exercise intensity measurement method of the Mayo Clinic in the U.S.) was superior to the ‘non-walking’ group in overall cognitive ability, including cognitive function related to Alzheimer’s disease, but the ‘low-intensity’ group was different from other groups. There was no difference in cognitive ability compared to .
Additionally, the group that started walking in middle age had better overall cognitive ability, including cognitive function related to Alzheimer’s disease, than the group that started walking in old age. On the other hand, walking activity time did not appear to have a significant effect on cognitive function when walking intensity was controlled.
‘Amyloid beta’ control… Improved brain function
Excellent overall cognitive ability starting in middle age
Professor Ji-wook Kim said, “It has been shown that high-intensity walking activities that cause sweating and shortness of breath in middle age can slow or prevent cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease. Although the exact mechanism is still unclear, physical activity, including walking, can prevent Alzheimer’s disease.” “This may be because it regulates the level of amyloid beta, which causes brain function, and prevents deterioration of brain function by promoting neuroplasticity.”
He also explained, “Because Alzheimer’s disease currently lacks effective drugs, prevention and treatment strategies that focus on lifestyle changes such as physical activity are needed.”
/Reporter Koo Min-ju kumj@kyeongin.com, Illustration/Reporter Park Seong-hyun pssh0911@kyeongin.com
2023-09-19 10:04:41
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