According to a study by Morris et al published
in PLoS One some patients with early
stage Alzheimer’s disease may slow their memory loss with frequent brisk walks.
The authors conducted a 26-week trial comparing the effects of 150 minutes per
week of aerobic exercise vs. non-aerobic stretching and toning in patients with
early Alzheimer’s (AD). A total of 76 older adults with early AD (mean age 73)
were enrolled, 68 of who completed the study.
Target heart rate (HR) zones were gradually
increased from 40–55% to 60–75% of HR reserve based on resting and peak HR
during cardiorespiratory fitness testing.
Neuropsychological tests and cardiorespiratory
fitness testing and brain MRI were used to monitor fitness and analyze memory
improvement or lack thereof.
One of the groups began a brisk walking
program, while the second control group began stretching and toning classes
designed not to increase their aerobic endurance. While to some of the walkers thinking and
remembering improved, toning did not slowed the progression of their disease.
Researchers concluded that aerobic exercise
such as brisk walking had improved the ability of AD patients to remember and
think and had reduced hippocampal atrophy suggesting that cardiorespiratory
fitness may be important in brain functions.
