| Alzheimer's and Exercise- exerpt from: University of Florida
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| Alzheimer's disease is a progressive condition in
which the brain nerve cells degenerate and the brain gray matter shrinks.
Although, this process eventually destroys a person's ability to communicate
and to function, it does not directly disturb motor function, balance,
or coordination. So people with Alzheimer's disease can derive physiological
and psychological benefits from exercise that are similar to those
gained by healthy individuals. In addition, there is some evidence
that exercise may improve the ability of Alzheimer's suffers to communicate.
Individuals with Alzheimer's disease are therefore often strongly encouraged by their doctors to exercise. And depending upon the extent of impairment, there are usually few activity restrictions. Bowling, cycling, dancing, golf, jogging, shuffleboard, skating, skiing, swimming, tennis, walking and weight training are all possibilities. However, supervision may be needed even when there is only mild dementia. Of course, during the more advanced stages of the disease, activities must be supervised, and those that might result in an accident should be avoided. |
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