Aerobic Exercise May Mildly Delay, Slightly Improve Alzheimer's Symptoms

A review of 19 studies published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society analyzed the effect of an exercise training program on cognitive function in older adults at risk for or diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease (AD), reports ScienceDaily . Included in the study were 1,145 older adults, most in their mid-to late 70s. Sixty-five percent of the participants were at risk for AD and 35 percent had been diagnosed with AD. The examination determined older adults who did aerobic exercise by itself experienced a three times greater level of improvement in cognitive function than those who participated in combined aerobic training and strength training exercises. The researchers also verified that the amount of exercise the World Health Organization recommends for older adults was reinforced by the studies. Another finding was that older adults in the no-exercise control groups experienced declines in cognitive function. Furthermore, those who exercised exhibited small improvements in cognitive function regardless of what type of exercise they performed. The researchers think this study may be the first to demonstrate that for older adults who are at risk for or who have AD, aerobic exercise may be more effective than other types of exercise in helping them save the ability to think and make decisions.