Prevention of Cognitive Decline through Physical Activity in Midlife

Work Type

Poster

Abstract

As technological advances in medicine continue to increase the worldwide average life expectancy, age-related dementia and cognitive decline will continue to be a major public health concern.

Current estimates indicate that more than 50 million people live with dementia worldwide and by 2050 this number is projected to triple.

Cognitive decline and dementia significantly impacts a patient’s quality of life, independence, and can have a major emotional toll on the patient and their loved ones. This topic was personally meaningful to me because of my firsthand experience witnessing the impact dementia can have on a family member and the emotional burden it can place on loved ones. This experience emphasized the importance of finding ways to educate patients and families about ways to prevent this condition.

There is currently no cure to these conditions and research has found that the pathological changes in the brain that are associated with dementia start years to decades before symptoms occur. This highlights the importance of establishing early prevention strategies.

Along with hypertension, diabetes, and obesity, physical inactivity has been identified as a modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline.

While the positive effects physical activity can have on cardiovascular and metabolic health are widely understood, the long-term effects physical activity can have on cognition is not as recognized.

The purpose of this capstone project was to evaluate current literature on if physical activity during midlife can prevent or delay the onset of age-related cognitive decline and address the gap in patient knowledge about the impact physical activity can have on brain health by informing patients with an educational handout.

Publication Date

5-17-2026

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS