social inequality and dementia; Why not everyone has the opportunity to exercise?

A large study of more than 4.2 million people shows that physical activity during leisure time reduces the risk of dementia. But physical activity at work not only has no protective effect, but may increase the risk of dementia. This finding has led researchers to an important contradiction.

According to Ambassador Arjan, SiteTechDaily reported in a report:

When it comes to protecting the brain against dementia, not all physical activity is created equal. Where and why we move may be more important than most people think.

A large review of studies published in The Lancet Public Health found that leisure-time physical activity reduces the risk of dementia by 24%. Doing housework was also associated with a 15% lower risk of dementia. In contrast, physical activity at work was associated with a 20% higher risk of dementia.

This study pooled data from 74 studies with more than 4,200,000 people in 30 countries and is one of the largest studies of its kind.

Physical activity protects the brain in several ways: it improves blood flow and helps oxygen and nutrients reach the brain. It also causes muscles to release molecules that reduce inflammation and encourage the growth of new brain cells.

For this reason, increasing mobility is a key part of the updated WHO guidelines for dementia prevention.

There is a lot of evidence that being active protects the brain. A UK Biobank study tracked people's activity for four years with wearable devices. Even as little as 35 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity per week was associated with a 41 percent reduced risk of dementia. Exercising more vigorously (enough to get out of breath) was associated with a 63 percent lower risk.

A long-term study in England that followed people for 17 years showed that the more active people were, the less likely they were to develop dementia. The most active group developed dementia about half of the least active group.

Even simple walking outdoors, about three kilometers a day, and gardening can reduce the risk of dementia by 25 to 36 percent.

But the new study suggests that physical activity at work or while commuting may not provide the same protection. Physical activity at work was associated with a 20 percent higher risk of dementia, according to five studies. Active commuting, such as walking or cycling, was also associated with a 10% higher risk, according to two studies.

Researchers call this the paradox of physical activity; That is, the same activity that is useful in leisure time may be ineffective or even harmful in the work environment. This phenomenon has also been seen in heart disease research.

People in physically demanding jobs may have fewer educational opportunities. Education and mental activities are associated with greater brain storage capacity. Storage capacity refers to the ability of the brain to cope with damage and continue to function normally.

Workers with physically demanding jobs are also more exposed to polluted environments such as factories. commuting by bicycle or on foot can also mean more exposure to air pollution; This pollution is associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease.

Recreational sports account for only 4% of active time in low-income countries, but in high-income countries this figure rises to 28%. So income differences can shape dementia risk worldwide.

Researchers say that more research is needed, especially in low-income countries. Not all physically demanding jobs are the same; Two jobs with similar physical activity can be exposed to very different levels of noise, pollution, stress, and heat.

These findings point to an important inequality: leisure itself is a resource that is not evenly distributed. People who live in low-income countries or have physically demanding jobs have the least opportunities for brain-protective activity. These people do not have the opportunity to exercise, nor are their working conditions good for their brains.

This major study shows that not all physical activity is good for the brain. Leisure activities such as exercise, walking or gardening reduce the risk of dementia, but physical activity at work may increase the risk. The reason for this difference is probably a combination of less education, air pollution, stress and harsh working conditions.

According to the researchers, to effectively prevent dementia, it is not enough to encourage people to be more active. Social and occupational inequalities should also be reduced so that all people, regardless of their job and income, have the opportunity to protect their brains.

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