Domain-specific physical activity levels and risk of dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Lancet Public HealthSep 1, 2026

Natan Feter, Paula Iso-Markku, Tiladia Markarian et al.

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In 30 seconds

This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the relationship between domain-specific physical activity and dementia risk in adults aged 20 and older. The analysis included 74 studies with over 4 million participants. High physical activity levels were associated with reduced risks of all-cause dementia (RR 0.80), Alzheimer's disease (RR 0.79), and vascular dementia (RR 0.71), though associations varied by activity domain.

Key findings

  • High physical activity levels were linked to a reduced risk of all-cause dementia (RR 0.80).
  • Leisure-time physical activity was associated with a lower risk of all-cause dementia (RR 0.76).
  • Occupational physical activity was associated with an increased risk of dementia (RR 1.20).
  • Certainty of evidence varied from very low to low across different activity domains.

Why it matters

Understanding the domain-specific effects of physical activity on dementia risk can inform public health strategies aimed at prevention. This knowledge can help in designing interventions that promote beneficial physical activities while addressing risks associated with certain domains.

Source

Published in Lancet Public Health. This summary was written by xxcode from the publication's abstract and metadata. It is not peer reviewed and is not a substitute for the original article. For clinical decisions, review the original publication.

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AI-generated summaries may contain errors or omissions. Verify clinically important information with the original publication.

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