SAEDNEWS: Swedish researchers concluded: "Our study shows that higher CRF is associated with better cognitive function and a reduced risk of dementia. Additionally, high CRF may reduce the genetic risk of all dementia by up to 35%."
According to SaedNews, new research in Sweden indicates that individuals whose genes put them at high risk of dementia may be able to combat and overcome this hereditary factor.
According to Mehr News, the weapon to counter this is regular exercise to improve cardiorespiratory fitness, also known as CRF.
CRF is the capacity of the body's circulatory and respiratory systems to supply oxygen to the muscles—a capacity that decreases with age and muscle loss, starting in the 20s and accelerating over time.
By the time individuals reach their 70s, CRF decreases by more than 20% per decade.
Low CRF is a strong predictor of early death from all causes and heart-related events such as strokes and heart attacks.
Swedish researchers concluded: "Our study shows that higher CRF is associated with better cognitive function and a reduced risk of dementia. Additionally, high CRF may reduce the genetic risk of all dementia by up to 35%."
For this study, a team led by Willy Zou from the Aging Research Center at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm examined data from over 61,200 people aged 39 to 70. These individuals were monitored for up to 12 years.
At the start of the study, all participants were free of dementia. Each participant rode a stationary bike for six minutes to determine their CRF. They also took cognitive tests, and their genetic risk for dementia was assessed using a standard score for Alzheimer's disease.
In total, 553 participants were diagnosed with dementia during the 12-year follow-up period.
Compared to individuals with low CRF, the onset of dementia in those with high CRF was delayed by approximately 1.5 years. High CRF also reduced the risk of dementia among those with medium to high-risk scores by up to 35%.
Researchers stated that improving CRF could be a strategy for preventing dementia, even among individuals with a high genetic predisposition for Alzheimer's disease.
They emphasized the need for further studies on the relationship between CRF and brain health and how it might influence the connection between genetic risk and dementia.
