Americans looking to fight mental decline now have clear evidence: exercise is the best defense. A new study in JAMA Network Open shows that increasing physical activity later in life can slash the risk of developing dementia by up to 45%. This is a massive win for personal responsibility and self-reliance.
Researchers at the Boston University School of Public Health analyzed data from more than 4,300 people who were tracked for decades. Participants reported their activity levels across three major life stages: early adult, midlife, and late life. The study proves that taking charge of your health yields lifelong results.
The findings for midlife activity are especially strong. Those with the highest activity levels between ages 45 and 64 saw a 40% lower dementia risk over a 26-year period.
The study also showed that it is never too late to start fighting decline. People who were most active later in life, between ages 65 and 88, were associated with a 36% to 45% lower dementia risk over 15 years.
Study author Phillip Hwang, Ph.D., confirmed that this simple, traditional solution is powerful. Hwang said, “These results may help to inform more precise and effective strategies to prevent or delay the onset of dementia in later life, and support evidence that the benefits of physical activity on the brain may extend to earlier in life than previously thought.”
Interestingly, those with the APOE4 genetic variant, which is linked to higher Alzheimer's risk, did not see the benefit from midlife activity. However, even for APOE4 carriers, increased activity in late life still significantly reduced dementia risk.
The study reinforces a core American value: success and longevity depend on the personal choices we make every day. No government program can replace taking responsibility for your own physical health.