New findings from the EXERT study reveal that both low and moderate-high intensity exercise may help preserve cognitive function in older adults with mild memory problems—a major risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. Over 12 months, participants who engaged in either form of exercise showed significantly less cognitive decline and reduced brain volume loss, especially in the prefrontal cortex, compared to a usual-care group.
This research highlights the value of accessible, community-based fitness interventions for individuals at high risk of dementia. Even low-intensity activities like stretching and balance exercises proved effective in slowing decline, suggesting a simple and feasible path toward brain health.
The new research, published as two papers in Alzheimer’s and Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, describes the results of the EXERT study (Exercise in Adults with Mild Memory Problems), a multi-site clinical trial of lower or moderate-high intensity exercise in sedentary older adults with amnestic mild cognitive impairment, a major risk factor for Alzheimer’s dementia.
Individuals with amnestic mild cognitive impairment, a condition characterized by memory complaints and objective memory decline, are at high risk of developing Alzheimer’s dementia, with approximately 16% of people with this condition progressing to Alzheimer’s each year.
“This is a critical time to intervene in this population, because they don’t have dementia yet, but are at a very high risk,” said Aladdin Shadyab, Ph.D., M.P.H., lead author of one of the new papers and associate professor at the UC San Diego Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science and School of Medicine.