Doing four minutes of physical activity per day is a valid strategy to strengthen the brain and prevent its volume loss. 

Engaging in moderate exercise for 25 minutes a week (equivalent to less than four minutes a day) could be an effective strategy to strengthen the brain and help prevent cognitive decline. This is the conclusion from a recent study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, which used brain MRI scans on over 10,000 healthy men and women aged between 18 and 97. Researchers found that regardless of age, participants who exercised moderately for at least 25 minutes a week had larger brain volumes in areas related to thinking and memory, which tend to lose volume as we age. The study suggests that lower levels of physical activity, which are easier for more people to achieve, could still offer potential benefits for brain health. However, the study also highlights the importance of cardiovascular health in preventing dementia, with exercise recognized as a protective factor. Despite this, the exact mechanism is unclear, and more robust conclusions are obtained from clinical trials. The Alzheimer’s disease, the most prevalent form of dementia, is characterized by the accumulation of tau protein and beta-amyloid peptide 42 in the brain. While physical performance was not associated with the accumulation of beta-amyloid in the brain or blood, it is plausible that physical exercise could be beneficial in the early stages of the disease, helping to prevent the accumulation of amyloid in the brain. In conclusion, while there are no conclusive data, physical exercise could play a significant role in preventing cognitive decline and maintaining brain health. However, more research is needed to fully understand the relationship between physical activity and the brain, particularly in the context of Alzheimer’s disease.