A SIMPLE walking technique could slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, a study shows.
The style of hiking has previously been shown to help boost weight loss and ward off heart disease.
GettyNordic walking could slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, a study shows[/caption]
And now Italian researchers have found Nordic walking twice a week could help keep the memory-robbing disease at bay.
The technique — which involves using two walking poles — found it helps slow the progression of dementia in patients in the early stages of the condition.
Dr Antonella Angiolillo, of the University of Molise, said: “These results may prospect Nordic walking as a safe and likely useful strategy to slow down cognitive impairment in mild or moderate Alzheimer’s disease.”
Around 944,000 Brits are currently living with dementia and experts predict the numbers will exceed one million by the end of the decade.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of the condition, and is thought to be caused by build-ups of proteins in the brain, including tau and amyloid.
There is currently no cure for the disease, although three promising drugs to slow down its progress are currently in trials.
Previous research has suggested regular exercise can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s by about 45 per cent.
The latest study, published in Heliyon, looked at the effects of Nordic walking on people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s.
The technique involves using the poles to propel your body forward while doing a brisk stroll, using nearly twice the amount of the body’s muscles as regular walking.
Researchers split 30 Italian adults with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s into two groups of 15.
A control group was given regular treatment, including reality orientation therapy, music therapy, and motor, proprioceptive and postural rehabilitation.
The second group underwent the same treatments and also did Nordic walking twice a week for 24 weeks.
Those who did the activity performed significantly better than the control group on brain tests at the end of the study.
They had better memory, brain processing speed and attention span, researchers said.
The team wants to do more research on a larger group of patients to see if the effects are seen across a wider population.