A sedentary lifestyle is strongly associated with an increased risk of dementia.
But some sedentary behaviors are better for cognitive function than others, according to a new study.
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It's that time of year when many adults get the chance to sit back and enjoy some well-deserved down time.
But whether you use the TV remote, or a favorite book, your choice could have implications for your brain's long-term health, say scientists at Southern University. Australia.
The researchers evaluated the 24-hour activity patterns of 397 people over the age of 60.
They found that the context, or type of activity, people engage in matters when it comes to brain health.
Some sedentary activities are better for cognitive function than others, according to findings published in The Journal of Gerontology Series A.
The research team found that sedentary social or mentally stimulating behaviors – such as reading, listening to music, praying, crafting, playing an instrument, or chatting with others – are beneficial for memory and thinking abilities.
But watching TV or playing video games is harmful, according to the study.
The researchers believe there is likely a “hierarchy” to how sedentary behaviors are linked to cognitive function, with some having positive effects while others have negative effects.
They say it's a “valuable insight” that could help reduce the risk of cognitive impairment, especially when at least 45% of dementia cases could be prevented through modifiable lifestyle factors.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than 55 million people have dementia globally, with approximately 10 million new cases each year.
University of the South Australia Researcher Dr. Madison Mello says that not all sedentary behaviors are created equal when it comes to memory and thinking ability.
“In this research, we found that the context of an activity changes how it relates to cognitive function, with different activities providing different levels of cognitive stimulation and social engagement,” she said.
“We already know that physical activity is a powerful protection against the risk of dementia, and you should definitely prioritize this if you are trying to improve your brain health.
“But until now, we have not directly explored whether we can benefit our brain health by swapping one sedentary behavior for another.
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“We found that sedentary behaviors that promote mental stimulation or social engagement – such as reading or talking with friends – are beneficial for cognitive function, while other behaviors such as watching TV or gaming have a negative effect. So, the type of activity matters.”
“While the 'move more, sit less' message certainly applies to heart and brain health, our research shows that a more nuanced approach is needed when it comes to thinking about the relationship between sedentary behaviors and cognitive function.”
Dr. Milo added: “For optimal brain health and physical health benefitsYou should prioritize movement that is enjoyable and increases your heart rate, as this has benefits for all aspects of health.
“But even small time swaps of five minutes can have benefits.
“So, if you're determined to have a movie marathon, try breaking up that time with some physical activity or a more cognitively engaging sitting activity, like reading, at some point.
“This way you can slowly build healthy habits.”
Is it old age or dementia?
Dementia — the most common form of which is Alzheimer's disease — comes on slowly over time.
As the disease progresses, symptoms can become more serious.
But at first, symptoms can be subtle or mistaken for normal memory problems related to aging.
The US National Institute on Aging gives some examples of what is considered normal forgetfulness in old age and dementia.
You can refer to these mentioned above.
For example, it's normal for an older person to forget the word to use from time to time, but difficulty holding a conversation may be more indicative of dementia.
Katie Puckering, head of the information services team for Alzheimer's Research UK, told The Sun: “It's very common as humans to put our car keys somewhere out of the ordinary, and it takes longer for us to find them.
“As you get older, it takes longer to remember, or you really have to think: What was I doing? Where was I? What distracted me? Should I let the dog out? And then you find the keys at the back door.”
“The process of retrieving information is a little slower in people as they get older.
“In dementia, the person may not be able to remember that information and what they did when they entered the home.
“What could also happen is they might put it somewhere it doesn't really belong. For example, instead of putting the milk back in the fridge, they put the kettle in the fridge.
