Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that can be extremely challenging for elderly adults and their family members. Some of the most common symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s include memory loss, dementia and confusion, and oftentimes the condition eventually leads to physical limitations. The condition develops as a result of microscopic changes in the brain that contribute to cell and nerve damage that lead to cognitive and physical decline.
However, if you are in the early stages of Alzheimer’s or you have a family history of the condition, you can work to delay its progression with the help of exercise and physical therapy. In today’s blog, we explain how physical therapy and exercise can help stave off the progression of Alzheimer’s.
Combating Alzheimer’s With Exercise And PT
A number of different issues in your brain can lead to the slow onset of Alzheimer’s progression, including things like amyloid beta protein plaque development, a rise in neuro-inflammation, oxidative stress and a reduction in synaptic connections in your brain. And while there is nothing you can do to completely eliminate the onset of some of these changes, numerous studies have found that exercise and physical therapy can help to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s and make it easier for individuals maintain physical and cognitive functions for an extended period.
But why is exercise so beneficial for your brain health? Exercise can help in a number of ways, including:
- Inflammation Reduction – Exercise leads to the production of antioxidant molecules and endorphins in the brain, which help to reduce inflammation throughout the body and neuroinflammation in the brain.
- Circulation To The Brain – Exercise helps to get healthy blood pumping throughout your body, including to your brain. This in turn improves oxygen and nutrient delivery to the brain, which is essential for normal brain function and in the development of new brain cells.
- Hippocampus Increases – Exercise has been shown to increase the volume of your hippocampus, and it can even help to reverse degenerative volume reduction. This volume increase can aid in memory function.
- Boosts The BBB – Exercise helps to restore the permeability and strength of the blood-brain barrier, which helps to keep inflammatory agents out of the brain.
- Hormone And Protein Production – Another benefit of exercise is that it can stimulate the production of helpful hormones, peptides and proteins, all of which serve to keep your brian functioning correctly. Some of these substances help to maintain an ideal blood glucose level, which is important as diabetes and blood glucose issues can increase your risk of Alzheimer’s, while a boost in a hormone called irisin can work to ward off the brain-damaging abnormal protein amyloid beta that can contribute to plaque formation in the brain.
- Heart Health – Finally, exercise can work to improve your cardiovascular health, which is important for blood pressure regulation. Blood pressure drops or spikes during actions like standing or moving can increase your risk of a fall, so developing a strong heart through exercise can help prevent physical issues caused by Alzheimer’s as well.
Exercise can be extremely helpful if you are concerned about the effects of Alzheimer’s, but developing the right exercise routine for your needs and goals can be difficult on your own. That’s where the team at OrthoRehab Specialists comes in. We can help you create an exercise or physical therapy routine that gets you moving and achieving all of the benefits listed above. We know that what works for one person may not work for another, so having a professional develop a personalized care plan can really help you find an exercise program that is right for you.
At OrthoRehab Specialists, we know the cognitive and physical challenges posed by Alzheimer’s, and we’re ready to help as best we can. For more information about Alzheimer’s or other cognitive disorders that can be treated and managed with physical therapy, reach out to the team at OrthoRehab Specialists today at (612) 339-2041.
PT of Costa Rican National Soccer Team for 2007 World Cup in Victoria, CAN. Clinical Instructor for University of Minnesota Doctor of Physical Therapy Affiliations
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