DID Press: A 14-year study conducted at Harvard University has found that even light physical activity, such as walking more than 3,000 steps per day, can significantly slow memory decline and delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
According to the research, daily walking demonstrated a direct link with improved cognitive function and reduced risk of dementia. The long-term study monitored approximately 300 participants aged 50 to 90, tracking their daily steps using pedometers and regularly assessing their brain activity through scans and memory tests.
Results showed that individuals who walked between 3,000 and 5,000 steps daily experienced cognitive decline three years later than those who walked less. Meanwhile, participants who consistently walked 5,000 to 7,000 steps daily delayed the development of Alzheimer’s symptoms by up to seven years on average.
Researchers say regular physical activity helps reduce the accumulation of toxic proteins in the brain — known contributors to Alzheimer’s disease — providing a powerful protective effect.
Dr. Susan Mears, the study’s lead author, said: “Even simple daily movements, such as short walks, can make a remarkable difference for brain health. Consistency in activity matters far more than intensity.”
Currently, more than 50 million people worldwide live with dementia, with Alzheimer’s being the most common form. These findings offer new hope in addressing one of the most challenging neurodegenerative diseases associated with aging.