A groundbreaking study has revealed that individuals who engage in physical activity solely on weekends possess a comparable risk of developing mild cognitive impairment to those who exercise more regularly. The research, which was published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, centered on "weekend warriors," individuals who participate in one or two exercise sessions per week.

A team of scholars from Latin America and Europe aimed to investigate whether the frequency of exercise influences the likelihood of mild dementia. The findings indicated not only that the weekend exercise regimen could be just as effective in preventing the condition but also that it might be more feasible for individuals with packed schedules.

The scientists analyzed data from two sets of surveys conducted as part of the Mexico City Prospective Study, a long-term investigation tracking the health of thousands of residents in Mexico City over an extended period. The initial survey was conducted between 1998 and 2004, while the second, which re-evaluated the same participants, commenced in 2015 and concluded four years later. A total of 10,033 individuals, with an average age of 51, participated in the surveys, and their responses were incorporated into the study.

In the initial survey, participants were inquired about their exercise habits, including whether they exercised, the frequency, and duration. Based on these responses, the researchers categorized the participants into four groups: those who did not exercise; weekend warriors who either played sports or exercised once or twice weekly; regularly active individuals who exercised at least three times a week; and a combined group consisting of both regularly active individuals and weekend warriors.

The cognitive function of the respondents was assessed in the second survey using the Mini Mental State Examination, which the study describes as "likely the most widely employed tool for screening cognitive impairment and dementia in older adults." The study found that weekend exercisers were 13% less likely to develop mild cognitive impairment compared to those who did not exercise, while the regularly active and combined groups were 12% less likely. These results were consistent across both genders.

The researchers concluded that 13% of mild dementia cases could potentially be averted if all middle-aged individuals exercised at least once or twice a week. Lead author Gary O’Donovan, an adjunct professor at the School of Medicine at Colombia’s University of the Andes, noted that approximately half of the weekend warriors reported exercising for a minimum of 30 minutes per session, while the remainder exercised for approximately an hour or more each time. Compared to the non-exercising group, weekend warriors were 13% less likely to develop mild dementia, and those in the regular and combined groups were 12% less likely. O’Donovan stated that these figures are "average values" and that the "margins of error overlap," suggesting that "there are similar risk reductions across the groups."

The researchers wrote, "We found that the weekend warrior physical activity pattern and the regularly active physical activity pattern were associated with similar reductions in mild dementia risks after adjustment for confounders." These confounding factors encompassed a variety of elements that could impact the relationship between cognition and physical activity, such as age, gender, education, and body mass index.

O’Donovan emphasized the significance of the study, stating, "The weekend warrior physical activity pattern is crucial because time constraints are a significant barrier to increased sports and exercise participation. Global surveys of men and women indicate that two-thirds of adults wish to engage in more physical activity but lack the time. I have long been interested in dispelling the misconception that a one-size-fits-all approach applies to exercise. I strongly believe that weekend warriors worldwide should be reassured that their efforts are adequate."

He continued, "The weekend warrior research is accumulating, and it is becoming increasingly clear that the health benefits are just as significant as exercising more frequently." The study suggests that its findings could "have significant implications for policy and practice, as the weekend warrior physical activity pattern may offer a more convenient option for busy individuals in Latin America and beyond." These conclusions align with a broader recent study indicating that weekend warrior workouts could be as effective as more regular exercise in reducing the risk of developing over 200 diseases. The scientists behind this study, published in the journal Circulation in September, utilized data from the UK Biobank project to form their conclusions.

Chris Russell, a senior lecturer at the Association for Dementia Studies at the UK’s University of Worcester, welcomed the research as encouraging and noted that "more research needs to be conducted on dementia within middle- to low-income countries," such as Mexico. Russell, who was not involved in the study, stated, "There is evidence that physical activity can help prevent dementia," explaining that informal activities like dancing and walking can be beneficial, in addition to team sports and other fitness activities.

Besides the physical advantages of exercise, there is also the companionship and social interaction often associated with keeping fit, which can help combat cognitive decline, according to Russell. He mentioned that there is substantial evidence that "physical activity can prevent dementia" but also cautioned that "it is not entirely certain," highlighting that other risk factors, such as diet and smoking, must be considered as well. The World Health Organization reports that over 55 million people currently have dementia globally, with nearly 10 million new cases diagnosed annually.