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(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- It's recommended for weight loss, stress relief and energy boosts -- and now, exercise may also be used as a weapon in the fight against Alzheimer's Disease (AD).
A new study shows moderate exercise may prevent the onset of AD by slowing memory decline, an early symptom of the disease. Researchers randomly assigned older adults at increased risk of dementia into either a 24-week exercise program or an education program. Participants in the exercise program were encouraged to exercise three times a week for 50 minutes, with the most frequently recommended activity being walking. Cognitive function was evaluated over 18 months.
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Results show participants who exercised had better cognitive function and dementia scores, and faster recall than those who didn't. Exercise benefited the participants for at least 12 months after intervention had ended.
Study authors wrote that the impact exercise had on memory is especially important considering the participants only engaged in moderate exercise.
SOURCE: Journal of the American Medical Association, 2008;300:1078-1079
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