Exercise as it relates to Disease/Alzheimer's Disease and Exercise

Alzheimer's Disease and Exercise

What is Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia that accompanies the aging process and involves oxidative damage to the brain. This degenerative brain disease results in loss of ability to:
 * Cope with every day activities,
 * Mental deterioration,
 * Disorientation,
 * Memory disturbances and
 * Confusion.

Prevention for Alzheimer's Disease
Physical Activity/Exercise and Diet

Regular exercise through mid-life reduces risk of AD by 60%. Vascular diseases such as hypertension, coronary heart disease, diabetes and strokes have been found to have an association with AD. Regular exercise has been shown to decrease the risk of vascular diseases and therefore can help delay the symptoms of AD by.
 * Directly counteracting vascular oxidative stress seen in AD patients and
 * Indirectly by reducing the vascular burden – a critical factor for AD onset.

Life-style changes such as completing regular exercise and eating a balanced diet throughout a person’s mid-life can help delay the onset of cognitive decline and slow down AD progression.

Exercise Prescription

There is no physical activity/exercise specifically for AD. General physical activity guidelines would be appropriate to reduce vascular risks associated with AD. Additional research suggests that the risk of cognitive decline decreased twofold in patients who completed greater than 1 hour of exercise daily at a high to moderate intensity level is associated with a decrease risk of AD.

Want to Help Someone with Alzheimer’s Disease?
Throughout the course of AD patients can develop malnutrition, increased rate of falls, fractures, muscle loss, behavioural disturbances and depression. This can result in a decreased quality of life, independence and, high rate hospitalisation, disability and death.

Benefits of Physical Activity/Exercise

Regular exercise in AD patients can significantly improve their ability to complete every day activities such as cleaning, cooking, hanging washing out (etc). To improve quality of life, ability to complete every day activities, decrease the risk of diseases (i.e. hypertension, diabetes) an AD exercise program should include: Research has suggested moderate exercise program of one hour conducted twice a week significantly slows the progressive deterioration by up to a 1/3.
 * Aerobic/endurance activities,
 * Flexibility,
 * Neuromuscular coordination/balance and
 * Strength of the major muscle groups.

Further Information
Alzheimer's Australia - http://www.fightdementia.org.au/

Cure Alzheimer's Fund - http://curealz.org/roadmap

National Dementia Helpline - 1800 100 500

For further information about exercise programs and diets suited to you please contact your local General Practitioner.