Can Playing Golf Lower Risk of Dementia?
Japanese researchers discovered that older male golfers demonstrated significantly lower dementia risk compared to their less active peers. According to findings from a study conducted at Tokyo’s Center for Public Health Sciences, men aged 60 and above who engaged in regular leisurely physical activities showed a 37% reduction in dementia diagnoses.
Key Research Findings
The investigation examined survey data from 43,896 Japanese seniors (averaging 61 years old) collected between 2000-2003. Researchers tracked dementia diagnoses from 2006-2016, identifying 5,010 new cases during this period.
Notably, the analysis revealed that moderate-to-vigorous exercise showed no clear protective association. However, men in the top 25% for leisure-time physical activities demonstrated substantially lower dementia risk. Nine years after initial surveys, these more active men were 28% less likely to receive dementia diagnoses.
Why Golf Provides Protection
Lead researcher Dr. Norie Sawada attributed the benefits to two primary mechanisms:
Mental Engagement: Leisure activities that include cognitive activity have a protective association against cognitive decline and dementia. The mental calculations required for putting, course strategy, and hazard avoidance engage cognitive functions.
Social Interaction: The social activity that accompanies leisure time physical activities, such as participation in golf competitions and enrollment in tennis circles, also has a protective association against cognitive decline and dementia.
Important Note on Gender Differences
Interestingly, women in the study showed no comparable dementia risk reduction from similar activities. Researchers theorize that women may already receive equivalent cognitive and social benefits through their everyday routines.
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