Physical Activity May Reduce Dementia and Depression Risk

On physical activity may reduce dementia and depression risk, neuropsychiatric diseases, including dementia, depression, anxiety, and certain sleep disorders, are conditions that negatively affect brain health. These disorders often share common risk factors, which can be categorized as non-modifiable (such as genetics) and modifiable (such as lifestyle choices).

Among the modifiable factors, physical activity has emerged as a key element in reducing the risk of developing these conditions.

A new study, set to be presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 77th Annual Meeting in April 2025, provides further evidence that engaging in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity on a daily basis may help lower the risk of certain neuropsychiatric diseases. The study’s findings, however, are still awaiting peer review.

According to Jia-Yi Wu, MD, a researcher from Huashan Hospital, Fudan University in Shanghai, China, and co-lead author of the study, these diseases pose a significant global health challenge due to their high prevalence, severe impact on quality of life, and economic burden.

“Early prevention, diagnosis, and treatment are crucial. As a safe, cost-effective, and modifiable factor, physical activity holds great promise, especially for aging populations and individuals in high-stress environments,” Wu told Medical News Today.

Additionally, modifiable risk factors such as diet (Trusted Source), smoking, and physical activity play a crucial role in either increasing or decreasing the likelihood of developing neuropsychiatric conditions.

While more research is needed to confirm these findings, this study reinforces the growing body of evidence that staying active can be a powerful tool for protecting brain health and reducing the risk of neurological disorders.

How Did the Study Measure Physical Activity?

To assess the relationship between physical activity and neuropsychiatric disease risk, researchers analyzed medical data from over 73,000 adults with an average age of 56. The data was sourced from a large database in the United Kingdom.

Unlike previous studies that relied on self-reported physical activity, which can be prone to recall bias, this study used accelerometers—wearable devices that participants continuously wore for seven days. These devices provided objective measurements of:

✅ Physical activity levels (including light, moderate, and vigorous intensity)
✅ Sedentary behavior (e.g., time spent sitting)
✅ Energy expenditure during different activities

Dr. Jia-Yi Wu, co-lead author of the study, emphasized the importance of using accelerometers:

“Emerging evidence highlights the role of physical activity and sedentary behavior as modifiable factors that may enhance brain health and reduce the incidence of neuropsychiatric diseases.”

“However, prior studies typically relied on self-reported data, which can lead to inconsistencies when compared to objective measurements of physical activity or sedentary behavior.”

Measuring Energy Expenditure with METs

To quantify how much energy each participant used, the research team relied on Metabolic Equivalents (METs)—a standardized method of measuring energy expenditure during different activities.

Dr. Wu explained the classification:

✔️ Sedentary behavior: ≤ 1.5 METs (e.g., sitting or lying down)
✔️ Light-intensity physical activity: < 3 METs (e.g., casual walking)
✔️ Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA): ≥ 3 METs (e.g., brisk walking, jogging, or cycling)

By using objective tracking methods, this study enhances the accuracy and comparability of its findings across different populations, strengthening the evidence that physical activity plays a crucial role in brain health.

Moderate-to-Vigorous Exercise May Lower Dementia and Depression Risk by Up to 40%

At the conclusion of the study, researchers found that participants who engaged in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) had a 14%–40% lower risk of developing dementia, depression, anxiety, stroke, or sleep disorders, compared to those with lower energy expenditure.

Notably, the study also revealed that individuals who maintained an average daily MVPA energy expenditure of 1.22 kilojoules per kilogram (kJ/kg) did not develop any of the five neuropsychiatric diseases analyzed.

Dr. Jia-Yi Wu, co-lead author of the study, emphasized the significance of these findings:

“This study underscores the pivotal role of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in reducing the risk of five neuropsychiatric disorders.”

The Dose-Response Relationship Between Exercise and Brain Health

The study supports the idea of a dose-response relationship, meaning that higher levels of physical activity are associated with greater health benefits. Dr. Wu further explained:

“The findings reinforce public health guidelines, highlighting exercise as a cost-effective and accessible preventive strategy, particularly for high-risk populations.”

“The observed 14% to 40% reduction in risk suggests that different neuropsychiatric diseases respond differently to exercise, providing a basis for tailored intervention strategies.”

These results add to the growing evidence that regular physical activity is a powerful tool for maintaining brain health, further emphasizing the importance of staying active to prevent neuropsychiatric conditions.

Prolonged Sitting Increases Dementia and Stroke Risk by Up to 54%

In addition to the benefits of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), the study found that spending more time sitting was linked to a 5%–54% higher risk of developing dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety, or sleep disorders, compared to those with lower sedentary time.

Dr. Jia-Yi Wu emphasized that, unlike genetic predisposition, sedentary behavior is a modifiable risk factor, meaning it can be changed through lifestyle adjustments.

“Our findings highlight the urgent need for behavioral and environmental changes to promote more active lifestyles,” Wu explained.
“Both reducing sedentary behavior and increasing physical activity are equally important.”

Why Reducing Sedentary Time Matters

For groups such as office workers, the elderly, and individuals with chronic diseases, Wu noted that reducing sedentary behavior is often a more feasible and safer approach than engaging in vigorous-intensity exercise.

The study also explored potential underlying mechanisms behind these findings:

✅ Sedentary behavior is linked to brain diseases
✅ It is associated with cognitive decline (Trusted Source)
✅ It may contribute to reduced brain volume, potentially mediated through specific peripheral biomarkers (Trusted Source)

These findings reinforce the importance of breaking up long periods of sitting and incorporating more movement throughout the day as a crucial strategy for brain health.

New Findings Strengthen the Link Between Exercise and Brain Health

A growing body of research highlights the importance of regular physical activity not just for the body, but also for brain health.

In light of this recent study, Medical News Today (MNT) spoke with three brain health experts, all of whom agreed that the findings reinforce the powerful role of exercise in reducing the risk of neuropsychiatric conditions.

Dr. David Merrill, MD, PhD, a board-certified geriatric psychiatrist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA, praised the study’s methodology:

“What’s particularly exciting about this study is the use of objective accelerometer data, which provides a more reliable measure of activity levels than self-reports.”

“The fact that even moderate levels of physical activity are linked to a lower risk of multiple neuropsychiatric conditions, from dementia to depression, highlights just how powerful movement is for protecting the brain.”

Exercise, Brain Scans, and Alzheimer’s Risk

Dr. Gary Small, MD, chair of psychiatry at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey, pointed out that these findings align with previous research he conducted while directing the UCLA Longevity Center:

“Our research found that brain scans of older adults who exercise more show lower levels of amyloid and tau—the abnormal protein deposits associated with Alzheimer’s disease” (Trusted Source).

“We also discovered that people who spend more time sitting tend to experience greater levels of forgetfulness. This new study confirms those earlier investigations using a larger sample and objective physical activity measurements.”

Lifestyle Changes for Brain Health

Dr. Vernon Williams, MD, a sports neurologist and founding director of the Center for Sports Neurology and Pain Medicine at Cedars-Sinai Orthopaedics, emphasized the real-world impact of these findings:

“This study is an important step in highlighting how lifestyle changes can reduce the risk of neurological and neuropsychiatric conditions while improving overall quality of life.”

He further stressed the importance of movement for brain health:

“We’ve seen growing evidence that the brain thrives on exercise. Movement is critical.”

While medications and medical interventions play a role in treating brain-related conditions, Dr. Williams pointed out that preventing or delaying the need for these treatments through regular exercise is a better long-term approach:

“If regular exercise can prevent, reduce, or delay the need for medical intervention, that’s a huge benefit for overall health.”

These expert insights reinforce the study’s key message: staying active is one of the most effective ways to protect brain health and lower the risk of neuropsychiatric diseases.

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