Exercise has numerous health advantages, and researchers are trying to discover how it impacts people with dementia. According to one study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, those who continue or begin physical activity after being diagnosed with dementia may have a lower risk for all-cause mortality.
We already know about the several benefits of physical activity, including lowering the risk of heart disease and weight management [1]. It might also help reduce the chance of dementia. Nonetheless, the impact of exercise after a dementia diagnosis is an essential area that still requires investigation.
Recently, a study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine has examined how physical activity impacts a person after a dementia diagnosis [2].
The researchers assessed the association between physical activity levels and changes and mortality rates among dementia patients. They discovered that maintaining physical activity before and following diagnosis was linked with the lowest mortality risk. All levels of persistent physical exercise were connected to a reduced mortality risk.
Furthermore, the researchers discovered that starting physical activity after receiving a dementia diagnosis could lower the risk of death by at least 20%. The findings suggest that patients with dementia should be encouraged to exercise regularly.
Physical Activity, Dementia, and Mortality: What is the Connection?
Alzheimer’s disease is among the top ten causes of death, and the number of people with dementia is steadily rising, according to the study’s authors. This study sought to investigate how physical activity before and after dementia diagnosis affects mortality risk, considering the level and intensity of physical exercise.
It was a population-based cohort study conducted across the country. Researchers collected data from the Korean National Health Insurance System Database. More than 60,000 participants in the study were 40 years of age or older and had been diagnosed with dementia between 2010 and 2016. All individuals had undergone health screenings within two years before and after dementia diagnosis.
The researchers used specific dementia assessment scores and the use of anti-dementia drugs to determine who had dementia. They evaluated exercise via information from the International Physical Activity Questionnaire.
The researchers then categorized physical activity levels following dementia diagnosis into vigorous, moderate, and light physical activity and recorded the amount of exercise per week. They defined regular physical activity as 30 minutes or more of moderate physical exercise at least five times or 20 minutes or more of vigorous physical activity at least three times a week.
Next, they recorded the changes in the activity levels before and after the participants received the dementia diagnosis. Over the 3.7-year average follow-up period, 16,431 participants passed away. The researchers were able to examine the relationship between physical activity and all-cause mortality.
The research team found a dose-response relationship between a lower risk of all-cause mortality and higher physical activity levels.
The Decrease in Mortality Risk
Participants who continued their regular physical exercise both before and after being diagnosed with dementia had the lowest death risk, according to the researchers, with a 29% decrease in mortality risk compared to those who stayed inactive.
The risk of death was lower for those who increased their physical activity to at least 1,000 metabolic equivalent of tasks (METs)-minutes per week than for those who did not. METs are a way to measure the energy needed to carry out physical activity [3].
The researchers also discovered that increasing physical activity by 100 METs-minutes per week after receiving a dementia diagnosis reduced the probability of death by 3%. Additionally, those with Alzheimer’s disease and all-cause dementia who stopped engaging in regular physical exercise after receiving a diagnosis had a marginally lower mortality risk.
When researchers examined intensity levels of exercise, they discovered that in participants with all-cause dementia and Alzheimer’s, continuing physical activity reduced mortality risk, with similar risk diminished observed in categories of light, moderate, and vigorous physical activity. They also found that continuous light or vigorous exercise was associated with a decreased mortality risk among people with vascular dementia.
What are the Limitations of the Study?
The study has some limitations. First, because the study only included Koreans, the conclusions should not be generalized. Further studies with more diverse participants may be beneficial. Also, this study comprised over 60% of women participants, implying that future studies should include more men.
Second, researchers used participant self-reports, which may or may not be accurate, to determine physical activity levels and other lifestyle choices. However, caregivers could assist participants in responding to inquiries. It is also plausible that those with better functioning and less severe dementia were more likely to continue their levels of physical exercise.
Third, researchers admit that reverse causality can occur. Fourth, actual dementia diagnoses may differ from those made using administrative data.
Additionally, the researchers did not have information on the participants’ physical activity levels, and the questionnaire they employed might not have correctly identified shorter bursts of physical activity included in total physical activity. Therefore, there is a possibility that researchers underestimated or misclassified levels of physical exercise.
The criterion of regular physical activity excluded light physical activity. As a result, further investigation may be required, and it may have had an impact on some analyses.
Lastly, the researchers only used data from two examinations within two years of the dementia diagnosis (one before and one after). They concluded that most participants’ dementia progression and severity were most likely mild during the study. Therefore, it could be helpful to examine more information about individuals with more advanced dementia.
Alzheimer’s Research Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping caregivers of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. We provide the latest information and news about the illness and helpful tips to help caregivers cope with their daily caregiving challenges. We realize the most important thing that a caregiver needs is financial assistance. Therefore, we provide grants to caregivers to ease their financial burden. Caregivers can apply for grants here: Alzheimer’s Grant Application.
You can also help caregivers in their endeavor by donating as much as possible: Donation To Alzheimer’s Research Associations.
References
- Benefits of Physical Activity. CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/physical-activity-basics/benefits/index.html. Updated Online: 24th April, 2024. Accessed: 16th December, 2025.
- Park, K.Y., Huh, Y., Nam, G.E., Han, K., Jung, J.H., Cho, Y.J., Kim, S.M., Hwang, H.S. and Park, Y.M.M., 2024. Changes in physical activity and all-cause mortality among individuals with dementia: a cohort study using the National Health Insurance Service Database in Korea. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 58(21), pp.1258-1266.
- Shea, C., Khawaja, A.R., Sofi, K. and Nabi, G., 2021. Association of metabolic equivalent of task (MET) score in length of stay in hospital following radical cystectomy with urinary diversion: a multi-institutional study. International Urology and Nephrology, 53, pp.1305-1310.
- Freeborn, J. Starting physical activity after dementia diagnosis may reduce death risk by 20%. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/starting-physical-activity-dementia-diagnosis-may-reduce-death-risk. Published Online: 1st November, 2024. Accessed: 16th December, 2024.
- Exercise linked to lower mortality risk in dementia patients. News Medical. https://www.news-medical.net/news/20241030/Exercise-linked-to-lower-mortality-risk-in-dementia-patients.aspx. Published Online: 30th October, 2024. Accessed: 16th December, 2024.