153. Exercise significantly lowers the risk of dementia
Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career.
Almost 6 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. But a new study shows that adding exercise to your daily routine can cut your risk by up to one-third. Researchers at the George Washington School of Medicine followed almost 650,000 military veterans, splitting them into five groups based on how metabolically demanding their physical activity was each day. For example, activities like watching TV or sitting would measure 1 MET, or metabolic equivalence of task. Leisurely biking counted for 4 METs, and jumping rope was 10 METs. The researchers discovered the fittest group, which achieved the highest MET scores each day, were 33 percent less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders.
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
