Daily Exercise Key to Brain Health and Dementia Prevention, Says Longevity Doctor

A simple daily habit may significantly improve brain health and reduce the risk of dementia, according to Dr. Avinish Reddy, a longevity expert who highlights the importance of regular exercise—an often-overlooked factor in cognitive wellness.

“The thing that’s very overlooked, which I’ll always say, is exercise. Regular exercise reduces the risk of dementia,” Dr. Reddy emphasized.

Woman exercising | Source: Pexels

He particularly recommends racket sports like table tennis and pickleball, which help improve hand-eye coordination—an essential skill that tends to decline after age 60 if not maintained through physical activity and proper nutrition. Hand-eye coordination is vital for daily tasks such as driving or reaching for a handrail, according to Harvard Health Publishing.

Occupational therapist Jennifer Packard noted that sports involving fast-moving balls challenge the brain to track movement even outside the direct field of vision. “Your brain has to manage that hand and arm not just where you can see it, but also where you can’t see it,” she said in a 2021 interview.

Beyond cognitive benefits, Dr. Reddy also pointed to the social advantages of group sports like pickleball. “They also increase social connection,” he noted, which is linked to improved well-being and longevity. He recounted that many older patients are eager to resume exercise following injury to reconnect with sports communities.

Man exercising | Source: Pexels

Pickleball, in particular, has seen growing popularity among older adults. In 2021, players aged 55 and older comprised the largest age bracket for the sport, according to the SFIA’s 2022 Single Sport Participation Report. Ryo Shinagawa, 72, shared that he made more friends through pickleball in six years than over his entire lifetime.