Leisure-time exercise was associated with lower dementia risk in a large systematic review and meta-analysis.In contrast, occupational physical activity was associated with a higher risk of dementia.Physically demanding jobs may be tied to broader social and brain health risks, researchers suggested.
The relationship between physical activity and dementia risk may depend on whether the activity is recreational exercise or job-related labor, a study of more than 4.2 million people suggested.
High physical activity levels were linked to a 20% lower risk of all-cause dementia (relative risk [RR] 0.80, 95% CI 0.75-0.86) over 10 years compared with the lowest level of physical activity, reported Natan Feter, PhD, of the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, and colleagues in a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Leisure-time activities like walking, running, swimming, cycling, or playing sports followed a similar pattern and were tied to lower dementia risk (RR 0.76, 95% CI 0.65-0.88), the researchers wrote in Lancet Public Health. Household physical activity also appeared beneficial, but evidence was from a single study.
In contrast, occupational activity was associated with an increased dementia risk (RR 1.20, 95% CI 1.01-1.42), Feter and co-authors found. In addition, active commuting was tied to higher dementia risk based on two studies.
