Walking May Slow The Onset Of Alzheimer's Disease Symptoms

By iHeartRadio

July 28, 2025

Senior woman and her home caregiver spending a chilly, windy day outdoors in city park. Autumn walk for elderly patient with walker.
Photo: Halfpoint Images / Moment / Getty Images

Two new studies presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference in Toronto on Monday (July 28) suggest that lifestyle changes could delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease. The research offers hope for individuals with a genetic predisposition to the disease, showing that diet, brain training exercises, and physical activity may slow cognitive decline.

One of the studies focused on the effects of walking on 2,985 Black and white older adults over a decade. Participants were tested for their APOE status, a gene associated with Alzheimer's, and their cognitive abilities were assessed through standardized exams at various intervals. Each year, participants reported their walking habits, allowing researchers to analyze the impact of physical activity on cognitive health.

The study found that those who walked more had an increase in their cognitive abilities compared to those who walked less.

A second study found evidence that people with the APOE gene who engaged in cognitive training exercises, increased their physical activity to at least 90 minutes a day, and made dietary changes, were less likely to experience symptoms related to Alzheimer's as they aged.

The findings of these studies build on existing evidence that lifestyle modifications can play a significant role in delaying memory loss and other cognitive impairments.

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