A new study shows that bike riding to work is associated with lower levels of dementia onset than other forms of transport, including driving, taking public transport and walking.
The peer-reviewed study, carried out by researchers at the University of Sydney and Huazhong University of Science and Technology, found that riding to work or 'mixed cycling' (a combination of bike riding with another form of transport) was associated with a lower incidence of dementia, including young onset and late onset dementia.
The study also found that compared to non-active forms of commuting, such as driving, walking did not help reduce dementia risk, but 'mixed walking' (walking in combination with another form of transport) did support a slight reduction.
This suggests that exercise in combination with the additional mental stimulation that comes with 'mixed' activities could contribute to a reduced dementia risk.
"Our findings suggest that promoting active travel strategies, particularly cycling, may be associated with lower dementia risk among middle-aged and older adults, which carries substantial public health benefits by encouraging accessible, sustainable practices for cognitive health preservation," the authors of the study write.
The study, titled "Active travel mode and incident dementia and brain structure" and published in Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Network Open, reviewed data from 479,723 people over a 13-year period.
Participants had a mean age of 56.5 years and the group being studied was made up of 54.4% women and 45.6% men.
Participants were assessed for factors including alcohol consumption, smoking status and body mass index, along with baseline cognitive function and brain health measured via MRI scans.
This study builds on another major recent study involving Australian researchers, which found that exercise is a major contributor to brain health.
Or become our friend and subscribe to receive our fortnightly newsletter.