Too much sitting accelerates brain aging in people over 50
The latest research by scientists from the US and South Korea shows that sitting for long periods of time can cause brain shrinkage and cognitive decline – even if you exercise every day. In people over 50, a sedentary lifestyle can increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease. Neurologists emphasize that the key to protecting the brain may be to limit the time spent sitting.
Researchers from Vanderbilt University, the University of Pittsburgh, and Seoul National University looked at the effects of a sedentary lifestyle on the brains of older people. They monitored the physical activity of 404 volunteers for a week, then assessed their cognitive function and did brain scans for the next seven years.
Although as many as 87% of the study participants met recommendations for physical activity (at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week), those who sat more had poorer results in cognitive tests and showed signs of neurodegeneration.
The most visible changes were in the hippocampus, an area of the brain responsible for memory. It is one of the first places to be destroyed in the course of Alzheimer's disease. In people who sit for longer periods of time, a faster thinning of the hippocampus was observed, which may indicate accelerated brain aging.
While the study does not prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship, the link between sitting and cognitive problems was clear.
Reducing your risk of Alzheimer's disease isn't just about exercising once a day, says neurologist Marissa Gogniat of the University of Pittsburgh.
He also adds that even regular physical activity is not enough if we spend too much time sitting.
Dr. Angela Jefferson of Vanderbilt University Medical Center emphasizes: "These studies underscore the importance of reducing sedentary time, especially among older adults who are at increased genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease."
Experts recommend not only exercising once a day, but also taking regular breaks from sitting throughout the day. These can be crucial for brain health.
- It's incredibly important for our brain health to take breaks from sitting throughout the day and move around to increase our active time, Jefferson adds.
While exercise is still important and worth doing, new data shows that it’s not enough. Even short bursts of movement broken up by longer periods of sitting can help keep your brain in better shape.
The research was published in the prestigious journal Alzheimer's & Dementia and provides further evidence of how lifestyle affects the functioning of our brain.
As Jefferson says:
- It is important to examine lifestyle choices and their impact on brain health as we age.
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