Walking may slow Memory loss

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.