The Impact of Cardiorespiratory Fitness
High cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is associated with better cognitive performance and a lower risk of developing dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, even among those genetically predisposed to the condition.
Regular aerobic exercise, which boosts CRF, can delay the onset of dementia by approximately 1.5 years and reduce the risk by up to 35% for individuals with a higher genetic risk.
Research Insights and Implications
The findings stem from a comprehensive analysis of 61,214 dementia-free participants aged 39-70, highlighting the significance of maintaining physical fitness for cognitive health across the lifespan.
While the study underscores the protective benefits of physical fitness against dementia, it also calls for further research to explore the direct mechanisms linking CRF to reduced dementia risk.