Lifestyle Practices Like Exercise Can Reduce Dementia Prevalence
Losing cognitive function is not inevitable–exercise matters.
Exercise is among the most important lifestyle strategies to help slow or prevent cognitive decline. In the United States, about one in five older adults have mild cognitive impairment and one in nine have dementia, as noted in Alzheimer’s & Dementia (2021; doi: 10.1002/alz.12362). Large-scale studies now show that intensive lifestyle changes can improve cognitive outcomes in older adults at high risk of decline, reports an editorial in The American Journal of Medicine (2025; doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2025.08.042).
Physical activity supports brain health by:
· increasing brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which stimulates neuron growth, particularly in the hippocampus;
· enhancing blood flow to the brain; and
· reducing inflammation.
Fitness professionals can motivate clients—especially older adults—by emphasizing these brain-health benefits as a key reason to stay active.
Shirley Eichenberger-Archer, JD, MA
Shirley Eichenberger-Archer, JD, MA, is an internationally acknowledged integrative health and mindfulness specialist, best-selling author of 16 fitness and wellness books translated into multiple languages and sold worldwide, award-winning health journalist, contributing editor to Fitness Journal, media spokesperson, and IDEA's 2008 Fitness Instructor of the Year. She's a 25-year industry veteran and former health and fitness educator at the Stanford Prevention Research Center, who has served on multiple industry committees and co-authored trade books and manuals for ACE, ACSM and YMCA of the USA. She has appeared on TV worldwide and was a featured trainer on America's Next Top Model.
