Exercise in Dementia and Alzheimer patients
Session Title
Additional Projects
College
College of Education
Department
Physical Education, Sport & Human Performance
Abstract
As our population continues to age, the risk of Alzheimer continues to increase in both men and women. Our physical activity levels are statistically shown to decrease as we age due to joint pain and flexibility limitations. Dementia is a chronic disorder that affects memory, thinking, reasoning in everyday life activities. Dementia patients have a restricted amount of medications or treatments, therefore the recruitment of muscle groups and neural recruitment utilizes physical exercise/activity for dementia patients. Previous research studies show that physical exercise allows for achievable, challenging, and engaging movements that benefit body memory, muscle strengthening, bone density growth, and positive mentality due to the release of hormones. Dementia and Alzheimer patients are recommended to engage in at least two days of aerobic training per week. Intensity is recommended to be moderate to vigorous with a target heart rate 40-70% with a rate of perceived exertion reaching twelve through thirteen. This aerobic training should be completed for sixty minutes while having twenty minutes a day is a minimal amount. Stationary cycling, walking/jogging, swimming, aerobic dance, seated exercises, and other aerobic exercises should be incorporated into this exercise program with professional supervision. Exercise in dementia patients allows for strengthening and aerobic based movements to enhance both cognitive and physical activity. Exercise can be utilized for an Alzheimer's patient for a treatment for independence with everyday movements, quality of life, and cognitive awareness.
Start Date
15-4-2022 12:00 PM
Exercise in Dementia and Alzheimer patients
As our population continues to age, the risk of Alzheimer continues to increase in both men and women. Our physical activity levels are statistically shown to decrease as we age due to joint pain and flexibility limitations. Dementia is a chronic disorder that affects memory, thinking, reasoning in everyday life activities. Dementia patients have a restricted amount of medications or treatments, therefore the recruitment of muscle groups and neural recruitment utilizes physical exercise/activity for dementia patients. Previous research studies show that physical exercise allows for achievable, challenging, and engaging movements that benefit body memory, muscle strengthening, bone density growth, and positive mentality due to the release of hormones. Dementia and Alzheimer patients are recommended to engage in at least two days of aerobic training per week. Intensity is recommended to be moderate to vigorous with a target heart rate 40-70% with a rate of perceived exertion reaching twelve through thirteen. This aerobic training should be completed for sixty minutes while having twenty minutes a day is a minimal amount. Stationary cycling, walking/jogging, swimming, aerobic dance, seated exercises, and other aerobic exercises should be incorporated into this exercise program with professional supervision. Exercise in dementia patients allows for strengthening and aerobic based movements to enhance both cognitive and physical activity. Exercise can be utilized for an Alzheimer's patient for a treatment for independence with everyday movements, quality of life, and cognitive awareness.
