Ethiopian scientist says physical exercise lowers risk for MCI

Ethiopian scientist says physical exercise lowers risk for MCI
Friday, 13 February 2009

Dr. Yonas Endale Addis Ababa, February 13 (WIC) – Routine moderate exercise during middle age may help prevent Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), an Ethiopian researcher said.

Neuropsychiatrst from Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, USA, Dr. Yonas Endale told WIC that physical exercise may protect against incident cognitive decline.

Dr. Yonas, after conducting studies on elderly individuals, described favorable effects of exercise on cognition in both healthy adults and patients with early Alzheimer’s disease.

Dr. Yonas reviewed physical exercise data obtained from 128 individuals’ aged 70 to 89 that have MCI and 740 cognitively normal elderly persons.

Subjects completed a questioner assessing the frequency and intensity of their exercise regimen during the preceding year, as well as during the ages 50 through 65, Dr. Yonas indicated.

Results showed that moderate physical exercise two to five times per week during ages 50 to 65 was associated with a significantly decrease of risk of MIC, he said.

The findings were not affected by age, gender, education, apathy or depression, Dr. Yonas pointed out, adding that exercise habits during the year prior to the survey were not associated with a reduced risk.

Dr. Yonas suggested that Ethiopians should be encouraged to make physical exercise that may be a marker for a healthy lifestyle.

Last Updated ( Friday, 13 February 2009 )