Alzheimer's Disease 

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive type of dementia that is associated with memory, thinking, and behavioral problems. Brain cells and their connections degenerate and eventually die which impairs memory and other mental functions. Exercise is associated with sustaining cognitive abilities.

How Exercise Can Prevent 

Exercise stimulates the brains ability to maintain and create connections. Regular physical activity Is beneficial to the brain and people who are physically active are less likely to experience a decline in their mental function. Exercise may help prevent Alzheimer’s disease because individuals that are physically active are less likely to experience deterioration in their mental function.

How Exercise Can Aid 

 Regular exercise for Alzheimer’s patients may slow the progression of the disease as well as improve memory and reasoning skills. Exercise also helps keep Alzheimer's patients keep their muscles, joints, and heart in good shape. 

Heart Disease 

Heart Disease is the leading cause of death in America. Responsible for over 600,000 deaths a year. Heart disease is characterized by a number of symptoms, with the most prevalent being a decrease in the heart's ability to function properly. 

Well-known risk factors 

• hypertension
• coronary heart disease 
• myocardial infarction
• obesity 

.Exercise is shown to be a protective factor against many of these causes. It is able to slow development and act as a determinant against risk factors. It can also improve the quality of life of many who suffer from heart-related illnesses.

How Exercise Can Prevent 

Across multiple studies and meta-analyses exercise has been shown to have a positive impact on the following heart disease risk factors. (1)

• Obesity 
• Poor lipid profiles (leads to plaque developments in vessels) 
• Depression 
• Hypertension
• Diabetes 

The positive impact comes from the increase in cardiorespiratory fitness. Good cardiorespiratory fitness is a protective factor against all-cause mortality. Exercise combined with a healthy lifestyle provides the greatest protection against future heart disease.

How Exercise Can Aid

Exercise can improve many of the symptoms of heat-related illnesses (2)

• Diastolic Function 
• Functional Capacity
• VO2 Max (Measure of Cardiorespiratory Fitness)
• HDL levels (helps remove cholesterol from blood vessels)

In summary, exercise is able to improve many of the symptoms a person may be experiencing because of the disease. Leading to a better quality of life, and the potential to slow the development of the disease.