New Study Reveals Exercise Form that Can Aid in Alzheimer’s Prevention

Researchers have discovered a specific type of exercise that can effectively prevent the development of Alzheimer’s disease. This study, conducted on mice, suggests that regular resistance training can help delay or prevent the onset of symptoms associated with this age-related neurological condition. Additionally, it may lead to more affordable therapies for individuals at risk of developing the disease.

While high-intensity aerobic exercises, like long daily runs, are often the focus of scientific studies on Alzheimer’s, these activities are unlikely to be feasible for dementia patients. However, strength training, which involves contracting specific muscles against external resistance, is considered the optimal approach to enhancing balance, posture, and reducing the risk of falls.

Strength training has been proven to increase muscle mass, strength, bone density, balance, and prevent muscle loss. The recent study, published in the journal “Frontiers in Neuroscience,” aimed to assess the protective effects of resistance training on the nervous system.

The scientists conducted experiments using genetically modified mice with a mutation that leads to the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques in the brain, a defining characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease. This protein buildup damages nerves and impairs connections between them, contributing to the development of Alzheimer’s.

The mice were trained to climb a ladder with specific characteristics, and loads equivalent to a percentage of their body weight were attached to their tails, replicating resistance training performed by humans at gyms. After four weeks of this training, blood samples were taken to measure plasma levels of corticosterone, the mouse equivalent of the stress hormone cortisol in humans.

The exercise-trained mice exhibited normal levels of corticosterone, suggesting that physical activity can counteract the heightened risk of developing Alzheimer’s associated with increased cortisol levels. Additionally, analysis of the mice’s brain tissue revealed a decrease in the formation of beta-amyloid plaques, indicating that physical activity can reverse neuropathological alterations that contribute to the clinical symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.

The study also measured the anxiety levels of the mice using a stress-inducing test. Resistance exercise was found to reduce anxiety-induced hyperactivity in mice genetically predisposed to an Alzheimer’s-like state.

The anti-inflammatory action of resistance exercise is believed to be the main reason behind these beneficial effects. These findings have significant implications for the development of cost-effective public policies aimed at reducing the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease.

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