For older adults, Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of cognitive decline, affecting their memory, thinking, and ability to function in daily life.
However, now new research published in the medical journal Nature Medicine has discovered another important benefit of walking for older adults.
The study, led by scientists from Massachusetts General Hospital (USA), aimed to find out whether physical activity slows cognitive decline and maintains function in older adults without cognitive impairment.
Even moderate physical activity can slow cognitive decline. Photo: AI
The study included 296 older adults without cognitive impairment who were followed for an average of nine years (maximum 14 years). Participants' physical activity was measured using pedometers, and cognition and function were assessed annually.
Moderate walking in older adults also slows cognitive decline.
The results found that even moderate physical activity can slow the rate of cognitive decline, according to the medical news site News Medical.
Remarkably, even walking less — just 3,001 to 5,000 steps per day — significantly slowed the rate of cognitive decline.
In particular, walking 5,001 - 7,500 steps per day has the same effect as walking more than 7,501 steps per day, which shows that walking more than 5,000 - 7,500 steps is best for cognitive function in older adults, according to News Medical.
A step towards prevention
The study highlights the importance of walking as a potential preventive intervention to slow cognitive and functional decline in older adults at high risk for Alzheimer's disease.
Another notable finding was that older adults who walked moderately were still able to achieve similar cognitive and functional benefits as those who walked more. Furthermore, walking less also slowed cognitive and functional decline by 34-40% over nine years.