Struggling with Arm Flexibility Post-Workout? Here's the Explanation Behind It
In the ongoing quest to understand the complexities of dementia, researchers continue to uncover links between certain lifestyle factors and the onset of this debilitating condition. Here's a roundup of recent findings that shed light on the subject.
Firstly, chronic loneliness has been identified as a significant risk factor for dementia, with a 2025 analysis by the National Institute on Aging revealing that it could increase the risk by about 31%[1]. Additionally, frequent multitasking has been found to potentially impair memory and mental clarity, contributing to cognitive decline over time[1].
A heart-healthy lifestyle, on the other hand, has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of dementia. The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week to achieve this[2]. Regular exercise, such as aerobic and resistance training, has been found to improve memory and cognitive function in older adults, as evidenced by studies in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry and the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society[3][4].
Maintaining a healthy weight is also crucial, with a study in the Journal of Aging and Health suggesting that doing so can help reduce the risk of dementia[5]. However, as dementia progresses, sleep disruptions and changes in eating habits become more noticeable, serving more as consequences rather than causes[3][5].
The Alzheimer's Association advocates a comprehensive approach to reducing the risk of dementia, recommending a combination of physical activity, mental stimulation, and social engagement[6]. The British Journal of Sports Medicine has also found that prolonged sitting can negatively impact cognitive function, emphasizing the importance of regular physical activity[7].
Breaking up sedentary time with regular activity has also been suggested to help reduce the risk of dementia, as per a study in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology[8]. The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research discusses the causes of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness, a condition that can be managed with appropriate post-workout nutrition guidelines, as provided by ACE[9].
While the focus is primarily on preventing dementia, it's also important to recognise conditions that may arise as a result. For instance, Golfer's Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis) and Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis) are conditions that can affect seniors involved in physical activity, as discussed by Mayo Clinic and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons respectively[10][11].
In conclusion, adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle, avoiding chronic loneliness, and minimising multitasking can help reduce the risk of dementia. Regular physical activity, mental stimulation, and social engagement are recommended for maintaining cognitive health. It's also crucial to monitor subtle changes in behaviour as early warning signs of cognitive decline for timely intervention.
[1] National Institute on Aging (2025). Loneliness and Dementia: What's the Connection? [Online] Available at: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/loneliness-and-dementia-whats-connection [2] American Heart Association (2020). Lifestyle Changes to Reduce Your Risk of Dementia. [Online] Available at: https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/stroke/life-after-stroke/lifestyle-changes-to-reduce-your-risk-of-dementia [3] Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry (2020). Aerobic Exercise and Cognitive Function in Older Adults. [Online] Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7052990/ [4] Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (2019). Resistance Training and Cognitive Function in Older Adults. [Online] Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6756955/ [5] Journal of Aging and Health (2018). Weight Management and Dementia Risk. [Online] Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5998189/ [6] Alzheimer's Association (2020). Brain Health and Dementia Prevention. [Online] Available at: https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-dementia/risk-factors/modifiable-risk-factors/brain-health-lifestyle-changes [7] British Journal of Sports Medicine (2019). Prolonged Sitting and Cognitive Function. [Online] Available at: https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/53/14/951 [8] European Journal of Preventive Cardiology (2018). Breaking Up Sedentary Time with Physical Activity and Dementia Risk. [Online] Available at: https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/39/33/3285/5092414 [9] Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research (2017). Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness: Causes and Prevention. [Online] Available at: https://journals.lww.com/nsca-jscr/Fulltext/2017/06000/Delayed_Onset_Muscle_Soreness__Causes_and.10.aspx [10] Mayo Clinic (2020). Golfer's Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis). [Online] Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/golfers-elbow/symptoms-causes/syc-20369474 [11] American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (2020). Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis). [Online] Available at: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/tennis-elbow-lateral-epicondylitis/
Engaging in regular science-backed fitness-and-exercise activities like aerobic and resistance training, as recommended by the American Heart Association and multiple journals, can significantly reduce the risk of dementia and improve memory and cognitive function in older adults. On the other hand, neglecting health-and-wellness factors such as chronic loneliness and frequent multitasking could increase the risk of dementia by approximately 31%[1], as suggested by the National Institute on Aging.
