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A 13-year study of nearly half a million people found that cycling is linked to a lower risk of dementia. The researchers — from Huazhong University of Science and Technology in China and the University of Sydney in Australia — enrolled the participants and followed them over time.
The study showed that frequent bike rides for transportation can reduce the likelihood of cognitive decline and age-related dementia. That may be because cycling stimulates brain regions involved in memory.
The study supports the idea that regular moderate exercise and keeping the brain active can help protect against neurodegeneration. “The results of this cohort study indicate a connection between active modes of transportation, the onset of dementia, and brain structure,” the report said.
How Was the Study Conducted?
By examining health data from the U.K. for nearly half a million individuals with an average age of 56, the researchers looked for links between people’s usual modes of transportation and the development of any form of dementia. The scientists categorized modes of transportation into four groups: inactive (car and public transport), walking, mixed transportation (inactive transport and walking), and cycling (including using a bike alongside other modes of transport).
The data analysis showed that compared with inactive participants, cyclists had a 19 percent lower risk of developing dementia from any cause and a 22 percent lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. The risk of dementia among cyclists under the age of 65 was 40 percent lower, while the risk for older cyclists was 17 percent lower.
“Our results indicated that active travel, particularly cycling, may be associated with a lower risk of developing dementia among middle-aged and older adults,” the team wrote.
The development of a complex condition like dementia is influenced by many factors, ScienceAlert reported. Previous studies have found a connection between spatial navigation abilities and brain volume. The new research found that cyclists tend to have a larger hippocampus—the brain region responsible for both long-term and short-term memory.
The report said dementia is becoming an increasingly serious issue as the global population ages. About 55 million people worldwide live with dementia, so researchers say there’s a need to explore new ways to prevent it. Cycling is one such approach—simple and accessible for many people.
The study appears in the journal JAMA Network Open.
