0
0
A new study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine reveals that “weekend warrior” exercise routines—consisting of one or two sessions per week—are associated with a similar reduction in mild dementia risk as more frequent physical activity. The findings challenge traditional perspectives on exercise frequency, suggesting that even limited physical activity can offer substantial cognitive protection.
Study Overview
The research, led by Dr. Gary O’Donovan from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of the Andes in Bogotá, Colombia, analyzed data from 10,033 participants in the Mexico City Prospective Study. The participants, all aged 35 years or older, were categorized based on their exercise habits into four groups: no exercise, weekend warriors (one or two exercise sessions per week), regularly active individuals (three or more sessions per week), and a combined active group. Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), a widely used measure for cognitive screening.
Over a mean follow-up period of 16 years, researchers adjusted for confounding factors such as age, sex, education, and lifestyle variables like smoking and alcohol consumption.
Key Findings
The study’s results indicate significant cognitive benefits for those engaging in both weekend and regular exercise routines:
- MMSE Score ≤ 22 (indicating mild dementia): Dementia prevalence was 26% in non-exercisers, 14% in weekend warriors, and 18.5% in the regularly active group.
- MMSE Score ≤ 23 (a broader threshold for mild dementia): Dementia prevalence was 30% in non-exercisers, 20% in weekend warriors, and 22% in the regularly active group.
After adjusting for various factors, the study found that:
- The risk of mild dementia was 13%-25% lower in weekend warriors compared to those who did not exercise.
- Regular activity was linked to an 11%-12% reduction in dementia risk, while the combined active group showed a 12%-16% reduction in risk.
The findings were consistent across both male and female participants, underscoring the potential benefits of even limited physical activity for cognitive health.
Implications for Public Health and Policy
“To the best of our knowledge, this is the first prospective cohort study to show that the weekend warrior physical activity pattern and the regularly active physical activity pattern are associated with similar reductions in the risk of mild dementia,” the authors noted. “This study has important implications for policy and practice because the weekend warrior physical activity pattern may be a more convenient option for busy people around the world.”
For those unable to commit to regular exercise routines, weekend physical activity may offer a practical alternative that still yields protective cognitive benefits, potentially encouraging more individuals to stay active within their limited schedules.
Study Limitations and Funding
While the study provides valuable insights, it has some limitations. The survey respondents may not fully represent the broader population, particularly middle-aged adults, and objective measures of physical activity were not used. Additionally, as an observational study, it cannot establish a direct causal relationship between exercise patterns and dementia risk.
The research was supported by the Mexican Health Ministry, the National Council of Science and Technology for Mexico, Wellcome, and the UK Medical Research Council. No conflicts of interest were disclosed.
Takeaway
For those facing busy schedules, this study offers encouraging evidence: even a couple of exercise sessions per week could potentially help stave off cognitive decline. Whether as a weekend warrior or a regular exerciser, staying active appears to be a key factor in supporting brain health and lowering dementia risk.
