A new study shows that active forms of travel could stimulate our mental health when ageing. The research suggests that how we choose to get from one point to another might thus not only impact our physical wellbeing but also that of our brain.
Researchers from the Huazhong University of Science and Technology in China and the University of Sydney in Australia have carried out a cohort study of 479,723 participants with over 13 years of follow-up. The goal of their work was to be able to answer the question whether or not an active travel mode could independently be associated with a lower risk of incident dementia. The results of their research seem to acknowledge the earlier assumption that frequent amounts of moderate exercise and keeping the brain busy can protect our brain function.
“The findings of this cohort study suggest an association between active travel mode and incident dementia and brain structure. The cycling and mixed-cycling mode was associated with a reduced risk of all-cause dementia, including YOD, LOD, and AD, as well as an increased hippocampal volume, suggesting a promising approach for maintaining brain health,” the researchers write.
Promising cycling promotion
For their research, the scientists used UK public health records from people nearly half a million people with an average age of 56. All participants were divided into four groups, depending on their preferred means of transportation: non-active (including cars and public transport), walking, a combination of walking and non-active, and those who preferred to get around by bike. The study looked exclusively at journeys other than commutes to and from work.
When comparing the data of all groups, the researchers found that when compared with non-active travellers, cyclists had a 19% lower risk of all-cause dementia. Moreover, they presented a 22% lower risk of Alzheimer’s, a 40% lower risk of young-onset dementia (defined as before the age of 65), and a 17% lower risk of late-onset dementia.
“Our findings suggest that promoting active travel strategies, particularly cycling, may be associated with lower dementia risk among middle-aged and older adults, which carries substantial public health benefits by encouraging accessible, sustainable practices for cognitive health preservation,” the authors state.
While the link between cycling and brain function is clear, it is not yet known what exactly makes it so beneficial. A number of explanations could be at the base of the outcome, such as the extra physical exercise, the need to be able to navigate, fresh air, or the fact that cyclists need to be extra alert when riding their bike.
A direct cause and effect can’t be established based on the study as many variables weren’t monitored and were thus not taken into account. According to the researchers, their analysis demonstrates several limitations, such as the fact that it relied on self-reported data for travel modes and its limited racial and ethnic diversity.
