Your brain health may benefit more from cycling than walking, study finds

• Bicycling is a popular mode of transportation and exercise for millions of people. 
• Past studies show that bicycling may provide a number of health benefits, including lowering a person’s risk for certain diseases. 
• A new study has recently found that those who use bicycling as their main mode of transportation may also be lowering their risk for dementia.

Since the development of the first bicycle in 1817, bicycling has become a popular mode of transportation and exercise activity for millions of people. 

Past studies show that bicycling can help improve a person’s heart health, reduce stress, and help with losing weight. Additional research has correlated regular bicycle riding to a lowered risk for several diseases, including type 2 diabetes and some cancers. 

Now, a new study recently published in the journal JAMA Network Open has found that those who use bicycling as their main mode of transportation may also be lowering their risk for dementia. 

For this study, researchers analyzed data from the U.K. Biobank of almost 480,000 people with an average age of about 57 who had shown no sign of dementia. Information included main modes of travel, as well as sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics. They tracked participants for a median of 13 years.

Participants were divided into four categories based on their modes of transportation. The nonactive group included participants who used a car, motor vehicle, or public transport, such as a bus. 

Groups two and three were those who only walked and those who followed mixed walking with a combination of using nonactive and walking transportation methods. Group four were participants who either only used a bicycle or who used a bicycle in conjunction with other transportation types. 

“Active travel (e.g., walking/cycling) is a feasible, sustainable form of exercise widely adopted by the public,” Liangkai Chen, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene at Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China, and lead author of this study, told GMHCN. “We examined whether specific modes confer distinct neuroprotective benefits, as prior studies rarely addressed this nuance.” 

At the study’s conclusion, researchers found that participants who regularly rode a bicycle for transportation had a lower dementia risk compared to participants who walked, drove, or took the bus. 

“Our key finding: Participants using cycling/mixed-cycling modes had a 19% lower all-cause dementia risk and 22% lower Alzheimer’s disease risk vs. nonactive modes,” Chen explained. “This likely stems from cycling’s higher aerobic intensity and cognitive engagement (e.g., navigation, coordination), which may enhance neuroplasticity more than walking alone.” 

Additionally, Chen and his team discovered that participants who regularly rode a bicycle for transportation, or mixed in bicycle riding with other modes of transport, were able to retain more volume in the hippocampus of the brain.  to reduce dementia risk and preserve brain structure,” he continued. “We plan to investigate dose-response relationships (e.g., cycling frequency/duration); examine how changes in active travel behavior over time impact brain health trajectories; and expand studies to diverse populations to address our cohort’s limitations.” 

GMHCN spoke with Peter Gliebus, MD, director of cognitive and behavioral neurology at Marcus Neuroscience Institute, part of Baptist Health South Florida, about the study.

“This study provides compelling evidence that active travel modes, particularly cycling, can significantly reduce the risk of dementia and improve brain health,” Gliebus said. “It highlights the potential of simple, accessible lifestyle changes to make a meaningful impact on cognitive health, which is especially important for older adults.” 

“It’s fascinating that cycling seems to offer a cognitive edge over walking, even though both are beneficial,” Kamal Wagle, MD, geriatric specialist with Hackensack University Medical Center’s Center for Memory Loss and Brain Health in New Jersey — who was not involved with this study — told GMHCN. GMHCN also spoke with Clifford Segil, DO, an adult neurologist in private practice in Santa Monica, CA, who is also on staff at Providence St. John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA, about this research. 

“An ounce of prevention is often worth more than a pound of treatment and we are still looking for any proven modification in middle age life which can decrease our risks of getting dementia or memory loss as we age,” Segil explained. “Nothing has been proven to be clearly neuroprotective and we are still looking for lifestyle modifications which improve our brain health as we age.” 

“Starting cycling later in life can be incredibly rewarding, but it’s important to prioritize safety and build up gradually,” Wagle said. “Before starting any new exercise program, especially if there are pre-existing health conditions, it’s crucial to consult a doctor. They can assess any potential risks and provide personalized advice.”