A new large-scale study has shown that cycling can reduce the risk of dementia by 19% and Alzheimer's disease by 22%. At the same time, regular walking was less effective in protecting the brain, informs Ukr.Media.
We all know that physical activity is good for your health. But which is better for your brain – walking or cycling? The answer was given by the largest study of its kind, the results of which were published in one of the most authoritative medical journals in the world, JAMA Network Open, in June 2025. It involved scientists from China (Huazhong University of Science and Technology) and Australia (University of Sydney).
What was researched?
Chinese and Australian scientists analyzed data from nearly 480,000 British people aged 40 to 69, following them for 13 years. The study was based on data from the UK Biobank, a large medical database in the United Kingdom.
Participants were divided into groups based on how they usually traveled (excluding commuting):
- Inactive – used a car or public transportation;
- Pedestrians – mostly walked;
- Mixed walking – combined walking with transport;
- Cyclists – rode a bicycle or combined it with other methods.
The scientists also examined MRI scans of the participants' brains and their genetic predisposition to dementia (the APOE ε4 gene).
Unexpected results
During the follow-up period, 1.8% of participants developed dementia. The results were quite unexpected:
Cyclists showed the best results:
- The risk of dementia is reduced by 19%
- Risk of Alzheimer's disease — by 22%
- Risk of early dementia (before age 65) — by 40%
But walking was more complicated. The study found that people who mostly walked had a slightly higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease compared to inactive participants. This doesn't mean that walking is bad—it's likely that cycling just provides a much better protective effect.
What the brain showed
MRI scans revealed the mechanism behind these differences. Cyclists showed increased gray matter volume in 10 brain regions, particularly in the hippocampus, an area responsible for memory. This may explain why cycling is so effective at protecting against dementia.
The role of genetics
Interestingly, genetic predisposition (the presence of the APOE ε4 gene) did not influence the benefits of active travel in early dementia. However, for late-onset dementia, genetics mattered: people without this “risk” gene benefited more from cycling.
Why is cycling more efficient than walking?
Experts explain this by several factors:
- Higher intensity of the load – cycling provides a more intense cardiovascular workout;
- More complex coordination – you need to maintain balance, control, and navigate in space;
- Active brain activity – route planning, reaction to traffic situations;
- Duration of activity – people usually ride a bike for longer than they walk.
Practical tips
The study results don't mean you should give up walking altogether. Any physical activity is better than none. But if you have a choice between walking and cycling, it's better to choose cycling.
What doctors advise:
- If you can ride a bike, do it;
- If a bicycle is not available, be sure to walk;
- Combine active movement with other healthy habits: balanced nutrition, quality sleep, and communication.
Study limitations
The researchers acknowledge that the study has limitations. Participants self-reported their mobility, which may be inaccurate. In addition, early-onset dementia is fortunately rare.
Despite this, the findings remain important: even simple changes in daily life, such as replacing the bus with a bicycle, can be a powerful tool for protecting brain health.
Джерело: ukr.media
