Exercise results in larger brain size and lowered dementia risk
Regular physical activity for older adults could lead to higher brain volumes and a reduced risk for developing dementia. It particularly affected the size of the hippocampus, which controls short-term memory, and its protective effect against dementia was strongest in people age 75 and older. Ref. Source 2q.
Older adults who have slower walking speeds may have increased risk for dementia. Because there's currently no cure for dementia, it's important to know about risk factors that may lead to developing it. For example, researchers have learned that older adults with slower walking speeds seem to have a greater risk than those with faster walking speeds. Recently, researchers have learned more about changes in walking speed, changes in the ability to think and make decisions, and dementia. Source 7l.