Since the invention of the first bicycle in 1817, cycling has become a popular means of transportation and exercise for millions of people. Previous studies have shown that cycling can help improve heart health, reduce stress, and even aid in weight loss.
Additional research has linked regular cycling to a reduced risk of several diseases, including type 2 diabetes and some forms of cancer. Now, a new study published recently in the journal JAMA Network Open (“Active Travel Mode and Incident Dementia and Brain Structure“) reveals that those who use cycling as their primary mode of transportation may also face a reduced risk of dementia.
Why cycling?
For the study, researchers analyzed data from nearly 480,000 people from the UK Biobank, with an average age of about 57 years, who had not shown any signs of dementia. The data included their main modes of transport, as well as sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics. They followed the participants for a median of 13 years.
The participants were divided into four groups based on their modes of transport. The inactive group included participants who used a car, motor vehicle or public transport such as a bus. Groups two and three were those who walked only and those with mixed inactive and walking transport methods. The fourth group included participants who either used a bicycle only or used a bicycle in combination with other types of transport.
“Active transportation (e.g., walking/biking) is a feasible, sustainable form of exercise that is widely adopted by the public. We examined whether specific modes provide distinct neuroprotective benefits, as previous studies had not focused on this option,” says Dr. Liangkai Chen, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in China and lead author of the study.
How does it benefit the brain?
According to the researchers, participants who regularly cycled to commute appeared to have a lower risk of dementia compared to participants who walked, drove, or took the bus.
Our key finding: Participants who cycled/mixed modes of transportation appeared to have a 19% lower overall risk of dementia and a 22% lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease compared to inactive modes,” said Dr. Chen. “This likely stems from the higher aerobic intensity of cycling and the cognitive engagement (navigation, coordination), which could enhance neuroplasticity more than walking alone,” he concluded.
