Grandparenting, Sports Clubs May Help Prevent Memory Loss
Regular engagement in certain social activities, particularly those involving physical or cognitive stimulation, could be key to maintaining cognitive function in older adults.
Engaging in activities such as looking after grandchildren, joining sports clubs, volunteering, and pursuing new training can help ward off memory loss and maintain cognitive sharpness in older age, according to a study by Chinese researchers.
The study, which analyzed data from five national surveys across 24 countries including the US, Mexico, and China, involved over 57,000 participants aged between 57 and 73. Participants were tracked for an average of six years, with their cognitive performance assessed through memory tests and tasks evaluating planning, organizing, and multitasking skills.
Researchers from Shandong University found that individuals who regularly participated in social activities demonstrated significantly higher cognitive performance scores compared to those who did not. Specifically, volunteering and membership in sports clubs were associated with a reduced risk of cognitive decline across all surveyed regions. Likewise, attending training courses and caring for grandchildren showed a year-on-year increase in cognitive scores.
However, involvement in political, community, or religious groups did not show a consistent link to enhanced cognitive abilities. The study's findings, published in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, support the 'use it or lose it' hypothesis, suggesting that mentally stimulating activities strengthen existing brain cell connections and foster the development of new ones, thereby preserving cognitive function.
The research indicated that the benefits were more pronounced among individuals with higher levels of education, those living alone or in rural areas, and individuals who did not suffer from depression, maintained a normal weight, and did not smoke or consume alcohol excessively.
These findings highlight the importance of social engagement as a potentially modifiable factor in preventing cognitive decline. This comes amid growing concern about dementia, which affects nearly one million people in the UK and is projected to reach 1.4 million by 2040. Approximately 10-20% of adults aged 65 and over experience mild cognitive impairment, with about a third of these individuals developing dementia within five years.
A 2024 Lancet report previously suggested that nearly half of all dementia cases could be avoided through healthier lifestyle choices and management of common health conditions such as high blood pressure.