A study found that if you use your free time to rest or play, that is, do good leisure (leisure) activities, you can lower the risk of dementia. According to a research team at the IDG/McGovern Brain Institute at Peking University in China, leisure activities such as joining a social club, engaging in sports such as walking or biking, or reading a book, playing a game or playing an instrument may reduce the risk of dementia. appeared to lower
“Previous studies have shown that leisure activities are associated with health benefits such as reduced cancer risk, atrial fibrillation and well-being,” said Dr Linlu of the research team. “Activity has been shown to be associated with a reduced risk of dementia.”
The researchers analyzed 38 studies of more than 2 million people worldwide who did not have dementia. In the course of the study, 74,700 people developed dementia, of which 2848 were Alzheimer’s dementia and 1423 were vascular dementia. The research team collected information regarding the subjects’ leisure activities through questionnaires and interviews.
Leisure activities were divided into mental, physical and social activities. After adjusting for factors such as age, gender and education, the researchers found that people who enjoyed leisure activities had a 17% lower risk of dementia than those who did not. In particular, those who participated in mental leisure activities had a 23% lower risk of dementia.
Mental leisure activities were described as intellectual activities, including reading or writing for pleasure, watching TV, listening to the radio, playing games or playing musical instruments, using a computer, and making crafts. Those who participated in physical activities, including walking, running, swimming, biking, using exercise equipment, yoga, and dancing, had a 17% lower risk of dementia.
Also, people who engage in social activities, including attending classes, joining social clubs, volunteering, visiting relatives or friends, or participating in religious activities, including social activities related to communicating with others. had a 7% lower risk of dementia.
The research team explained, “This study suggests that being active has advantages. The results of this study (Leisure Activities and the Risk of Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis) were published in Neurology.
By Kwon Soon-il, staff reporter kstt77@kormedi.com
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