A new study indicates that people with physically demanding jobs are more likely to develop dementia or mild cognitive impairment as they age. The study published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe found that people with a high level of occupational physical activity have a 15.5% risk of dementia, compared to the 9% risk for people whose work involves a low level of physical activity.
The authors define occupational physical activity as “performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.”
The study also found that people whose work requires an intermediate level of occupational physical activity are at higher risk of mild cognitive impairment but not dementia, per se.
Key Takeaways From This Study:
- People with a consistently high level of occupational physical activity are more likely to develop dementia or mild cognitive impairment, says a new study.
- The authors of the study call for the development of cognitively protective strategies for people in such jobs.
- People in jobs with an intermediate amount of physical activity are at greater risk of mild cognitive impairment. This can often lead to dementia.
- Some of the most common occupations among study participants with exposure to intensive physical activity in their roles were retail, nursing and care, and farming.
You can read the complete study entitled, Trajectories of occupational, physical activity and risk of later-life mild cognitive impairment and dementia: the HUNT4 70+ study, by clicking on the link.