Physical Activity Lowers Disease Risk

Scientists were interested in the relationship between physical activity and dementia, stroke, anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders.

Researchers analyzed activity data from wearable devices for 73,411 participants from the United Kingdom (average age 56, 96% white). They measured how much energy was spent on activity and how much time was spent sitting.

They discovered:

• Those with higher energy expenditure, from moderate to vigorous physical activities, were 14% to 40% less likely to develop dementia, stroke, anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders. Moderate activity was described as walking or cleaning, where more intense exercise such as cycling was described as vigorous.

• Those who spent more time sitting increased disease risk for these five disorders by 5% to 54%, with those that spent the most time sitting experiencing the most risk.

Takeaway: Physical activity is likely to lower your risk for dementia, stroke, anxiety, depression, and sleep problems.

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Sources

Renee Tessman, Physical Activity Lowers Brain Disease Risk - Neuroscience News, Feb. 27, 2025.

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