Citation

Bonner AP, Cousins SOB. Activ. Adapt. Aging 1996; 20(4): 21-34.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1996, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1300/J016v20n04_02

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Substantial evidence exists to confirm that regular and moderate exercise is a potent disease prevention and health promotion resource for the elderly. Data is sparse, but accumulating, that physical activity may even have an important role in moderating dementia such as Alzheimer's disease. Of interest to caregivers and practitioners is the preliminary evidence reviewed in this paper which supports that physical activity such as regular walking may alleviate some of the negative characteristics associated with Alzheimer's disease. While the explanations for these early findings are lacking, several promising hypotheses are that physical activity: (1) stimulates the cortex of the brain; (2) promotes the immune system; and (3) may moderate the arteriosclerotic disease process of the brain. If exercise proves to be a positive influence with dementia, the social challenge will be to mobilize cognitively-afflicted individuals with practical and humane strategies.