Your Brain Health May Benefit More From Cycling Than Walking, Study Finds

For This Study, Refracchers Analyzed Data from The UK Biobank of Almost 480,000 People with an Average Age of About 57 Who Had Shown No Sign of Dementia. INFORMATION INCLUDED MAIN MODES OF TRAVEL, AS well as sociodemography and LIFESTYLE CHARACTERISTICS. They tracked participants for a median of 13 years.

Participants were divided into four categories Based on Their Modes of Transportation. The Nonactive Group included participants who used car, vehicle engine, or public transport, such as a bus.

Groups Two and Three Were Those Who Only Walked and Host Who Followed Mixed Walking With A Combination of using Nonactive and Walking Transportation Methods. Group Four were participants who Eithher Only used Bcycycle or Who used Bcycle in Conjunction with other transport Types.

“Active Travel (Eg, Walking/Cycling) is a feasible, Sustainable Form of Exercise Widely adopted by the public,” Liangkai Chen, PhD, Associate Professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene at Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China, and Lead Author of this Study, Told Medical News Today. “We Examined Whether Specific Modes confer distinct neuroprotective benefits, as prior to the rarely addressed This Nuance.”

At The Study’s Conclusion, Researchers Found That Participants Who Regularly Rode A Bicycle for Transportation Had A Lower Dementia Risk Compared To participants Who Walked, Drove, Or Took The Bus.

“Our Key Finding: Participants Using Cycling/Mixed-Cycling Modes Had A 19% Lower All-Cause Dementia Risk and 22% Lower Alzheimer’s Disease Risk vs. Nonactive Modes,” Chen Explained. “This Likely Stems from Cycling’s Higher Aerobic Intensity and Cognitive Engagement (EG, Navigation, Coordination), Which May Enhance Neuroplasticity More than Walking Alone.”

Additionionally, Chen and His Team Discovered That Participants Who Regularly Rode A Bcycycle for Transportation, or Mixed in Bicycle Riding With Othher Modes of Transport, Were Uble to Retain More Volume in The Hippocampus of the Brain.

“Cycling/Mixed-Cycling was significantly associated with greater hippocampal volume. This Matters Because the hippocampus is central to Memory Formation and is Among the First Regions Damaged In Dementia. Retain ITS it.
– Liangkai Chen, PHD

“Promoting Cycling as Daily Transport – Even Mixed with other modes – Could Be a practical Strategy to reduce Dementia Risk and Preserve Brain Structure,” I have continued. “We Plan to Investigate Dose-Reply Relationships (EG, Cycling Frequency/Duration); Examine How Changes in Active Travel Behavior Over Time Impact Brain Health Trajectories; And Expand Studies to Diverse Populations to Address Our Cohort’s Limitations.”

MNT Spoke with Peter Gliebus, MD, Director of Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology at Marcus Neuroscience Institute, Part of Baptist Health South Florida, About The Study.

“This Study Provides Comppelling Evidence That Active Travel Modes, particularly Cycling, Can Signanantly reduces The Risk of Dementia and Improve Brain Health,” Gliebus Said. “IT Highlights The Potential of Simple, Accessible Lifestyle Changes to make a Meaningful impact on cognitive Health, which is specially important for Older Adults.”

“It’s Fascinating That Cycling Sems to Offer A Cognitive Edge Over Walking, Even Though Bown Are beneficial,” Kamal Wagle, MD, Geriatric Specialist With Hach Hazensack University Medical Center’s Center for Memory Loss and Brain Health in New Jersey – Who Was Not Involved This Study – Told MNT.

“While the exact mechanisms aren’t Fully Understood, there are plausible esplanations supported by already existing researc. Suggests that the type of aerobic exercise might matter. ”
– Kamal Wagle, MD

MNT Also Spoke with Clifford Segil, Do, An adult neurologist in private practice in Santa Monica, Ca, Who Is Also on Staff at Providence St. John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, Ca, About This Research.

“An ounce of prevention is offen Worth More than A Pound of Treatment and We Are Still Looking for Any Depending on Middle Age Life Which Can Decrease Our Risks of Getting Dementia Or Memory Loss We Age,” Segil Explained. “Nothing you have come to be clearly neuroprotective and we are still looking for lifestyle modifications which improvise Our Brain Health As We Age.”

We Asked Our Experts for Their Top Tips On The Best Way To Start BicyCling If They’re Not Already:

• Start Small: Begin With Short, Flat Rides to Build Confidenze and Stamina. Focus on Building Endurance and Getting Comfortable On The Bike Before Increaseing distance or Intensity. Listen to your body and rest when Needed.
• Safety First: Use Properly Fitted Helmet and Bright-Colored Clothing, and Reure The Bicycle is adjusted for Comfort and Stability. USE LIGHTS AND REFLECORTS, SPECIALLY WHEN RIDING IN LOW-RHT CONDIONS. Be Aware of Traffic Laws and Practice Safe Riding Habits. Consider Cycling Safety Course.
• Choose The Right Bike: Considered Bike with a Step-Through Frame or Comfor, Upright Bike Like A Hybrid, Cruiser, Or Electric Bike (E-Bike). To Professional Bike Fitting Is Highly recommended.
• Ride in Safe Areas: Opt for bike paths or quiet streets to minimize traffic stress.
• Gradual progression: Increase distance and intensity gradually to Avoid Overexertion. Start by practicing in a Park, on dedicated bike path, or in a quiet neighborhouse with minimal traffic. Pay attention to Any Pain or Discomfort and Stop Riding If necessary. Don’s Push Yourself Too Hard, Specially in the Beginning.
• Warm-up and Cool-Down Properly: BEFORE EACH RIDE, DO SUB LIGHT STRETCHING OR WARM-UP EXERCISES. After Each Ride, Cool Down With Gentle Stretching to Improve Flexibility and Prevent Muscle Soreness.
• STAY HYDRATED: Drink Plenty of Water Before, During, and After Cycling, Specially in Warmer Weather.
• Socialize: JOIN A LOCAL CYCLING GROUP OR RIDE WITH FRIENDS TO MAKE IT ENJOYABLE AND MOTIVING.
• Gentler Alternative to Joint Pain: Cycling is a Low-Impact Exercise, Minimizing Stress On Joints Combase to Walking, Specially for Older Adults. This Coul Allow for Longer Duration and Higher Intelligo Workouts, Further amphying the cardiovascular and cognitive benefits.

“Starting Cycling Later in Life Can Be Incredibly Rewarding, But It’s Important to Prioritize Safety and Build Up Gradually,” Wagle Said. “Before Starting Any New Exercise Program, Specially If there are pre-existing Health Conditions, It’s Crucial to Consult A Doctor. They Can Asses Any Potential Risks and Provide customized warning.”

WHO SHOULDN’T BE CYCLING

“BicyCling requires Lot of Balance and Dexterity and I Wouled Strongly Discourage Anyone in Their 60s Or Older from Starting to Ride Bicycles on The Street Even Though We Are SupPosed To Remember How To do This For Life. Bicycle.
– Clifford Segil, do