Review of studies · Supplements / medicine · 18 Aug 2026
Leisure-time exercise, not job strain, tracked lower dementia risk in 4.2 million people
Source: News-Medical
What the research found
Study (meta-analysis). David Raichlen and USC colleagues pooled 74 cohort and case-control studies, more than 4.2 million people aged 45–93 across 30 countries, median follow-up 10 years. Higher leisure-time physical activity (walking, cycling, running, swimming, sports) was associated with 24% lower all-cause dementia risk versus the least active. Occupational physical activity was associated with 20% higher dementia risk (physical-activity paradox). Observational; residual confounding is likely. Educational exercise notes, not a dementia diagnosis or a workplace prescription.
Evidence level: Review of studies. This is among the stronger kinds of evidence, but one study rarely settles a question.
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