Leisure Exercise Lowers Dementia Risk, While Physical Jobs May Increase It

A meta-analysis of over 4.2 million people found that high overall physical activity was linked to a 20% lower risk of all-cause dementia, with leisure-time activities like walking and swimming associated with a 24% lower risk. In contrast, occupational physical activity was tied to a 20% higher dementia risk, and active commuting also showed an increased risk in two studies. The findings suggest that the context and type of physical activity matter for brain health.