PSA: Urgent Call for Radical Overhaul of Physical Activity Guidelines Amidst Alzheimer's Crisis
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Today At A Glance:
The statement below demands a revision of the "Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans" due to the global Alzheimer's crisis, impacting 57 million people. It stresses the need for more vigorous exercise and less sedentary lifestyle as crucial in fighting Alzheimer's, noting the disease's significant economic and emotional impact, worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Criticizing the guidelines' lack of focus on high-intensity activity, it calls for a science-backed, proactive approach to tackle the health and societal issues related to Alzheimer's.
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Neuro Athletes,
The escalating Alzheimer's crisis, impacting an estimated 57 million individuals worldwide, is a clarion call for reevaluating our health strategies, particularly the role of physical activity. The direct and indirect costs of Alzheimer's, currently towering at hundreds of billions of dollars, are projected to balloon to 1.1 to 3 trillion dollars by 2050. This alarming projection, coupled with the extensive emotional and physical distress inflicted on patients and caregivers, underscores the need for immediate, decisive action.
I recently put this statement out on Instagram advocating for the issue at hand.
The "Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans" fall short in addressing this looming catastrophe. They largely emphasize moderate physical activities, which, while beneficial, may not suffice for preventing or mitigating neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. Research, such as the study by Smith et al. (2020), demonstrates that higher-intensity physical activities are crucial in enhancing cognitive functions in individuals at risk for dementia and Alzheimer's. This evidence challenges the guidelines' current stance and calls for a shift towards more vigorous exercise regimens (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2018).
Moreover, the guidelines' approach to sedentary behavior is too passive.
Prolonged sedentary lifestyles, as highlighted by Patel et al. (2019), significantly increase the risk of dementia. The guidelines must advocate for not only increasing physical activity but also actively reducing sedentary behavior, especially in populations at risk of or already battling Alzheimer's (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2018).
Alzheimer's disease is not just a medical condition; it is a social and economic crisis. The impact of the disease extends beyond the individuals affected; it strains families, particularly those in lower socioeconomic groups, who often bear the brunt of caregiving responsibilities. Families suffer not just emotionally but also economically due to lost work hours and the need for continuous, often expensive, care. The indirect costs related to Alzheimer's care significantly contribute to the disease's economic burden.
In addition, Alzheimer's patients have been disproportionately affected by events like the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic exacerbated issues like loneliness and isolation, critical factors in the progression of Alzheimer's. Patients suffer not just from the physical aspects of the disease but also from the psychological toll of disconnection and cognitive decline. This highlights the urgency of addressing Alzheimer's not just as a health issue but as a broader societal challenge.
The current situation demands a bold, proactive approach. The "Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans" must be revised to emphasize the crucial role of vigorous physical activity and the reduction of sedentary behavior in combating Alzheimer's disease. This approach aligns with emerging scientific evidence and addresses the multi-faceted nature of the Alzheimer's crisis, offering a more effective strategy for prevention and management.
References:
Smith, P.J., Blumenthal, J.A., Hoffman, B.M., et al. (2020). Exercise and neurocognitive health: Intensity matters. Journal of Neurological Sciences, 411, 116711.
Patel, A.V., Maliniak, M.L., Rees-Punia, E., Matthews, C.E., & Gapstur, S.M. (2019). Prolonged leisure time spent sitting in relation to cause-specific mortality in a large US cohort. American Journal of Epidemiology, 188(8), 1351-1364.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2018). Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition.