Can Pilates Help Prevent Dementia?

What is Dementia?

Dementia is a general term for loss of memory, language, problem-solving and other thinking abilities that are severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer's is the most common cause of dementia.

What Causes Dementia?

 Dementia is caused by damage of brain cells. This damage interferes with the ability of brain cells to communicate with each other. When brain cells cannot communicate normally, thinking, behaviour and feelings can be affected. Depending on the how far the damage is and where it is in the brain, it affects the function on that region in the brain.

How Can Pilates Help?

Read any article or blog on dementia and they say the first step to prevent it is movement and exercise.

As you age, what is the first thing that you stop doing? Moving! Often, it’s because the type of exercise you have done in the past no longer serves you. In other words, it starts impacting the way you move rather than improving it.

Pilates is one of the best workouts you can do. It’s a great multi-tasker in improving your physical health on top of your mental health. 

It is low impact on your joints, improves your balance and strength which helps prevent falls.

Most importantly, it is excellent at strengthening your mind, connecting new neural pathways while exercising.

Some studies suggest that Pilates can enhance cognitive function by increasing blood flow to the brain. Better blood flow delivers more oxygen and nutrients to brain cells and support cognitive function by promoting the formation of neurons and neurotransmitters, and lengthening neuron life. These improvements overtime can enhance executive functioning, learning, and memory, which are crucial for dementia prevention.

The practice of Reformer Pilates requires concentration, coordination, and the learning of new movement patterns – all happening within a Pilates class. This cognitive engagement can stimulate brain activity

When participating in a group class, you also get social interaction and build relationships within the Pilates community. At Bodyfirst Pilates, you are not just another booking. Our instructors work hard to make you feel welcome at every class and foster a community environment within the class.

Do I have a be a certain age to start?

Recent research has shown that Alzheimer’s may start as young as in your 20s. It is not an old person’s disease, in fact, it is a disease that take many years to form with effects exaggerating in one’s elderly years.

While there is no specific age at which one should start Reformer Pilates for optimal Alzheimer’s prevention, beginning a regular exercise routine early in life can have long-term benefits for brain health.