New research reveals that staying active can significantly lower the risk of brain-related diseases and sleep disorders. Learn how even moderate exercise can make a difference.
A recent preliminary study has linked moderate to vigorous physical activity with a decreased risk of dementia, stroke, anxiety, depression and sleep disorders. The research will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 77th Annual Meeting, April 5–9, 2025, in San Diego and online.
The study underscores the significant role that physical activity plays in maintaining brain health.
“This research highlights the role of physical activity and sedentary behavior as modifiable factors that may enhance brain health and reduce the incidence of these diseases,” study author Jia-Yi Wu, of Fudan University in Shanghai, China, said in a news release. “It is promising to think that encouraging people to make these lifestyle changes could potentially lessen the burden of these diseases in the future.”
The investigation utilized data from 73,411 individuals, with an average age of 56, extracted from a comprehensive UK database. Participants wore accelerometer devices for a week to monitor their physical activity, energy expenditure and sedentary times.
Moderate to vigorous activities, such as brisk walking or house cleaning, defined as activities with an energy expenditure of at least three metabolic equivalents (METs), were measured.
Strenuous activities like cycling could reach around six METs.
Findings revealed startling health benefits for those with higher daily energy expenditures.
People engaging in moderate to vigorous physical activity were 14% to 40% less likely to develop dementia, stroke, anxiety, depression or sleep disorders compared to less active participants.
For instance, those who avoided these diseases had an average daily energy expenditure of 1.22 kilojoules per kilogram, while those who developed dementia, sleep disorders, stroke, depression or anxiety had notably lower expenditures.
Conversely, individuals who spent more time sitting had a substantially higher risk of developing these conditions, with the risk ranging from 5% to 54% higher compared to the least sedentary individuals.
Wu emphasized the importance of objective measurements in the study.
“Some previous studies have relied on people reporting on their own levels of activity,” he added. “With our large number of participants and the use of devices that provide objective measurements of activity levels, these results will have implications for assessing risk factors and developing interventions to prevent the development of these diseases.”
The study, supported by grants from the Scientific and Technological Innovation 2030 – “Brain Science and Brain-inspired Artificial Intelligence” Major Project, has some limitations. One notable limitation is that 96% of participants were white, which may affect the generalizability of the findings to other populations.
Physical activity remains a powerful tool in the fight against debilitating brain-related diseases and can significantly improve overall health. Encouraging an active lifestyle could play a crucial role in public health strategies to combat these conditions.