The latest research has shown that maintaining physical activity throughout life, especially up to age 50, leads to changes in the brain that may help in the prevention of dementia. Scientists believe that this may be linked to the fact that physical exercises help maintain the volume of the brain area responsible for thinking and memory. People who engage in sports throughout their lives were less prone to cognitive decline, even if they had early signs of Alzheimer’s disease, such as amyloid buildup in the brain.
According to information published by the German agency DPA, research showed that lifelong engagement in sports was 'associated with better cognitive functions in old age, even among those who had early signs of Alzheimer’s disease,' with benefits being more pronounced among women.
According to Alzheimer's Research UK, which funded the research together with the Medical Research Council, about 982 thousand people live with dementia in Great Britain. It is expected that this number will increase to more than 1.4 million people by 2040.
