Daily Walks May Slow Alzheimer’s Progression, Long-Term Study Suggests

Daily Walks May Slow Alzheimer’s Progression, Long-Term Study Suggests
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Even modest daily exercise may slow the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease among older adults at risk of developing the condition, The Guardian reported. A 14-year study led by researchers at Mass General Brigham Hospital in Boston found that walking as little as 3,000 steps a day could delay cognitive decline and brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s.

Participants who walked between 3,000 and 5,000 steps daily experienced an average delay of three years in cognitive decline, while those taking 5,000 to 7,000 steps showed a delay of up to seven years. The research, published in Nature Medicine, analyzed data from 296 participants aged 50 to 90 who were cognitively healthy at the start of the study.

Using pedometers, annual cognitive tests, and PET scans, scientists tracked levels of two key Alzheimer’s-related proteins — amyloid-beta plaques and tau tangles. Among participants with higher baseline amyloid levels, those who walked more showed slower buildup of tau and reduced cognitive decline compared with sedentary individuals.

Lead author Dr. Wai-Ying Yau said the findings support promoting small, sustainable increases in physical activity to protect brain health. While researchers noted they cannot rule out reverse causation — where early brain changes may reduce mobility — the data suggest exercise could be protective. Dr. Julia Dudley of Alzheimer’s Research UK said the results strengthen evidence that daily physical activity, even in modest amounts, may help maintain cognitive health and slow Alzheimer’s progression.