Akademiliv

Sahlgrenska akademins nyheter

På Svenska
University of Gothenburg Logotype
  • News
  • Notices
  • Calendar
  • Grants
  • About Akademiliv

Clear link between fitness in middle age and risk of dementia

20 March, 2018

NEW STUDY. Women who have a high cardiovascular fitness in middle age have a risk of developing dementia when older that is almost 90 percent lower than among women in average physical condition, according to a study published in the journal Neurology.

Ingmar Skoog (foto: Johan Wingborg/GU)

“This shows that we can affect our risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease”, says Ingmar Skoog, professor of psychiatry at Sahlgrenska Academy and director of AgeCap, Centre for Ageing and Health, at the University of Gothenburg.

The study is based on information from 191 women who underwent a fitness test on an exercise bike when they were on average 50 years old. The women pedaled up to their peak workload, at which point the results of their efforts on the bike were recorded.

Based on their results, women were categorized into high (40 women), medium (92 women) and low (59 women) fitness. Twenty of the women in the low-level category had to interrupt the test because of ECG changes high blood pressure or other cardiovascular problems.

More healthy years

During the subsequent 44 years, the women were tested for dementia six times. Of the 191 women, 44 developed dementia.

In the group that had the best results in the bike test, five percent developed dementia. In the medium fitness group, the share was 25 per cent, and in the low fitness group, 32 percent. Of the women who had to interrupt the test, 45 percent developed dementia.

The women who had a high cardiovascular fitness in middle age and still developed dementia did so an average of 11 years later than those who were in the medium fitness group, or at age 90 years instead of age 79 years.

Protection against dementia

Helena Hörder, postdoctor at Sahlgrenska Academy and lead author of the article, emphasizes that the study does not point to a causal link between cardiovascular fitness in middle age and the risk of dementia. On the other hand, there is a clear connection.

Helena Hörder

“The results are exciting because of the possibilities of improving cardiovascular fitness in middle age, which could postpone or even protect against dementia. But more research is needed, including study of when during the lifecourse it’s most important to have a high pshyical fitness,” she maintains.

The study is based on the processing and analysis of results from the Prospective Population Study of Women in Gothenburg that began in 1968 and is managed within AgeCap. Limitations of the current study are the relatively low number of participants as well as the fact that their fitness were tested at only one occasion.

Title: Midlife cardiovascular fitness and dementia, a 44-year longitudinal population study in women; http://n.neurology.org/content/early/2018/03/14/WNL.0000000000005290

TEXT: MARGARETA GUSTAFSSON KUBISTA

 

By: Elin Lindström
Tagged With: institutionen för neurovetenskap och fysiologi

Add your own events in the Akademiliv Calendar

No newsletter during the sports holiday – Wednesday, February 15

Information from Sahlgrenska Academy Research Support Office

[UPDATED JAN 24]
The Sahlgrenska Academy Research Support Office provides an overview of upcoming and current calls, nominations and events in an information letter. This letter is updated approximately four times per semester.

’20 minutes for researchers’ is back – see full spring program

During 20 minutes over Zoom, the Biomedical Library gives tips on tools and services that can facilitate your research everyday life.

We are building at Medicinareberget

You will now find comprehensive information on construction projects that affect the Sahlgrenska Academy in the Staff Portal.

Lunch menus

Café Anatomen
Menu not available on website.

Café Annedal
Menu not available on website.

Lunchen.nu

Lustgården på Änggårdsbacken
Take away for external guests between 11.00-12.30 weekdays.

Lyktan

Mersmak Mölndal

Mersmak Sahlgrenska

Mersmak Östra

Salt & Syra

More news

New thesis: Higher risk of future accidental bowel leakage after sphincter injury

3 February, 2023

THESIS. A study that was part of a recent doctoral thesis at the Institute of Clinical Sciences reports a significantly higher risk of developing …  

Formal ceremony for Zealous and Devoted Service

3 February, 2023

ACADEMIC CEREMONIES. On Wednesday, January 25, the University invited a 68 staff members to a ceremony to receive their Zealous and Devoted …  

Nominations for Honorary Doctors 2023 is open

2 February, 2023

HONORARY DOCTOR. All staff at Sahlgrenska Academy may nominate honorary doctorates. The appointments are evidence of the faculty’s appreciation, a …  

Depression and low quality of life 30 years after chemical attack

27 January, 2023

NEW STUDY. Mustard gas harms the vision, skin and breathing. Three decades on, however, the predominant effect is mental ill-health. At a time …  

Testing a immunological drug as a new treatment for early type 1 diabetes

26 January, 2023

CLINICAL STUDY. A large clinical study is now beginning on an approved drug for treating psoriasis. The drug will be tested on patients who were …  

Emma Eckernäs: GU now surveying doctoral students’ work environment too

25 January, 2023

COLUMN. For the first time, the work environment survey (ARK) at the University of Gothenburg (GU) now contains a sub-survey aimed specifically …  

Nominate for the award “PhD Thesis of the Year”

24 January, 2023

AWARD. Do you know of a really good thesis that was defended last year? Until February 7, you can nominate for the Sahlgrenska Academy's PhD …  

New legislation for clinical trials of medicinal products

24 January, 2023

RESEARCH RESOURCES. New EU legislation for clinical trials of medicinal products will be phased in over the coming years. All new applications …  

Joining forces for research on asthma, allergy, and airways

24 January, 2023

RESEARCH CONDITIONS. "Breathe Sweden", a digital platform for researchers who collect studies on diseases and disorders of the respiratory tract, …  

Fewer surgically treated ankle fractures with a clear-cut treatment routine

24 January, 2023

DOCTORAL THESIS. It has been shown that the percentage of ankle fractures that undergo surgery could be substantially reduced, from more than 30 …  

More news...

Sahlgrenska Academy

© University of Gothenburg
PO-Box 100, S-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
Phone: 00 46 31 786 0000

About the website

Elin Lindström is editor for Akademiliv.
Please feel free to send your ideas and comments to akademiliv@gu.se

Sign up for the Akademiliv newsletter:

Send you tips to Akademiliv

Do you have a suggestion for news, grants, seminars or an education?
Send an email to Elin Lindström Claessen