How Exercise Can Prevent & Address Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative condition that damages brain cells, limits cognitive function, inhibits physical function, and leads to reduced functional independence. It is the most common form of dementia and develops with age, affecting 6 million Americans last year. Exercise can be extremely beneficial not only in preventing Alzheimer’s disease but also in improving symptoms of the disease and slowing cognitive and physical decline in Alzheimer’s patients. Regular exercise provides numerous protective mechanisms against the neurodegenerative processes that occur with Alzheimer’s disease, enhancing neurogenesis of brain cells, blood flow to the brain, and cognitive function.
What is Alzheimer’s Disease?
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative condition that involves atrophy, shedding, and degenerative alterations in brain cells as individuals age. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, affecting 6.2 million Americans over the age of 65 in 2021. Women appear to be more susceptible to the disease than men with 61% of Alzheimer’s patients being women vs. 39% male patients in 2021. Before the disease is diagnosed, microscopic changes take place in the brain including oxidative stress and plaque formation, which damages brain cells and the nerves that transmit information and direction to the rest of the body.
Alzheimer’s disease often begins years earlier with motor signs like slowed gait before progressing to more serious symptoms and limitations of the individual’s function and independence. Common signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease include memory changes, decline, and forgetfulness; difficulty completing familiar and simple tasks; trouble interpreting visual images and spatial relationships; decreased judgment about safety; behavioral changes in mood and personality including mood swings, apathy, or depression; confusion about time and place; and difficulty speaking, walking, or swallowing,
How Exercise Helps Alzheimer’s Disease Patients
Exercise can be extremely beneficial not only in preventing Alzheimer’s disease but also in improving symptoms of the disease and slowing cognitive and physical decline in Alzheimer’s patients. Physical therapists utilize therapeutic exercise to preserve and restore function and participation in daily activity for Alzheimer’s patients as much as possible. A physical therapy program for an Alzheimer’s patient generally includes therapeutic exercise like strength training and aerobic exercises like walking, cycling, and aquatic therapy; balance training; manual therapy soft tissue and joint mobilizations; gait and neuromuscular retraining; and functional training.
Regular exercise provides numerous protective mechanisms against the neurodegenerative processes that occur with Alzheimer’s disease. Aerobic exercise helps increased levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is a neurotransmitter in the brain that aids with glucose control and provides neuroprotective properties. Aerobic exercise also increases neurogenesis in the hippocampus which may preserve and improve memory and learning.
Resistance training has been shown to increase levels of insulin-like growth factor which inhibits cell death and aids in maintaining neuroplasticity. Regular exercise also increases blood flow and vascular health, reduces arterial blood pressure, and decreases systemic inflammation, all of which can aid in preventing and slowing symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
Exercise also improves cardiovascular health like resting heart rate and blood pressure, decreases the risk of falls, enhances sleep, slows cognitive function loss, boosts mood, reduces anxiety and depression, helps with patient control of emotional dementia symptoms like irritability and restlessness, reduces social anxiety, and helps patients remain independent longer.
Numerous research studies have been conducted over the last decade that support the use of exercise as a way to prevent and slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. A recent 2017 review noted that exercise is associated with increased neuro repair; reduced plaque formation in the brain, oxidative stress, and inflammation; and increased glucose metabolism. Another study the following year revealed that exercise can improve cognition in individuals with mild cognitive impairment.
One randomized control trial involved an intervention of 6 months of aerobic exercise vs. a control group that did stretching and balance activities. The study found that those who engaged in aerobic exercise experienced significant improvement in executive function, while those in the stretching group experienced a decline in cognitive ability.
A 2020 review found that treatment sessions that incorporated dual tasking [aerobic activity 25 minutes, strengthening 20 minutes, balance training 20 minutes] significantly improved Alzheimer’s disease patient outcomes in terms of function and movement.
Another study analyzed data from 8,270 participants that were classified as inactive, low, or moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Results showed that 7.8% of participants were diagnosed with all-cause dementia, with the risk of developing dementia increasing by 6% with age. However, participants who engaged in low, moderate, or high-intensity physical activity had an overall reduced risk of all-cause dementia.
A further study examining physical activity and cognitive function in 16,700 Europeans, ages 54-75, over a 13-year period found that moderate physical activity on a weekly basis has a potential and direct protective effect against cognitive decline and dementia, with women benefiting more than men.
Alzheimer’s disease is a difficult, progressive disease for both the patient and their families. As physical therapists, we are here to support you and your loved one as you navigate this condition, help slow symptoms of the disease, and improve your loved one’s overall fitness and quality of life. Give us a call to start your journey towards improved quality of life today!
