Sarah McEwen PhD: Exercise and Alzheimer’s Risk

Physical activity serves as a primary non-pharmacological intervention for preventing Alzheimer's disease by fostering neuroplasticity and increasing hippocampal volume. Regular exercise, including aerobic, resistance, and neuromotor training, stimulates neurogenesis, enhances cerebral blood flow, and reduces oxidative stress. Combining physical movement with cognitive stimulation—such as compensatory memory training—creates a synergistic effect that significantly improves executive function and memory retention. Women, who face a higher statistical risk for Alzheimer's, benefit particularly from consistent, moderate-to-high intensity exercise, which can delay disease onset by nearly a decade. Evidence from the Tarahumara people and long-term epidemiological studies underscores that maintaining an active, intellectually engaged lifestyle throughout midlife acts as a critical "savings account" for the brain, potentially reducing the risk of cognitive decline by up to 60%.