Participation in Japanese croquet and strength exercise is associated with a lower risk of developing dementia in older Japanese community-dwelling adults
In a prospective cohort of 5074 older Japanese adults, participation in Japanese croquet (adjusted HR 0.68, 95% CI 0.46-0.99) and strength exercise (adjusted HR 0.26, 95% CI 0.08-0.81) was significantly associated with a reduced risk of developing dementia over a 4-year follow-up, compared to non-exercisers. Other exercise types (calisthenics, walking, golf) did not show significant associations.
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Participation in Japanese croquet and strength exercise is associated with a lower risk of developing dementia in older Japanese community-dwelling adults The current body of evidence comprises 1 study. EvidenceHub rates the overall confidence at 34/100 (low).
The Claim
Participation in Japanese croquet and strength exercise is associated with a lower risk of developing dementia in older Japanese community-dwelling adults
This conclusion is most relevant to: Community-dwelling older adults in Japan (aged 65+ presumably), 5074 participants.
What the Research Shows
The conclusion draws on 1 linked study. Highlights from the cited literature:
- ▸Types of Exercise and Risk of Developing Dementia in Older Japanese Community-Dwelling Adults: A Prospective Study. (Geriatrics & gerontology international, 2026) —
How It Works
The proposed biological pathway:
- ▸Exercise may improve cardiovascular health and reduce vascular risk factors
- ▸Exercise may enhance neuroplasticity and increase brain-derived neurotrophic factor
- ▸Social engagement in group activities like croquet may reduce cognitive decline
- ▸Strength exercise may improve muscle mass and metabolic health, reducing dementia risk
Who Might Benefit
Evidence fit by population:
- ▸Community-dwelling older adults in Japan (aged 65+ presumably), 5074 participants
Recommended Dose
N/A (exercise frequency/duration not specified in abstract)
Limitations & Caveats
Important context when interpreting this evidence:
- ▸Observational study design; cannot establish causality
- ▸Self-reported exercise participation may introduce misclassification bias
- ▸Only 5 exercise types with sufficient sample size were analyzed; other types may have effects not detected
- ▸Follow-up of 4 years may be too short to capture long-term dementia risk
- ▸Potential residual confounding from unmeasured factors (e.g., baseline cognitive status, socioeconomic status)
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of exercise were found to reduce dementia risk?▼
Japanese croquet and strength exercise were associated with significantly lower dementia risk, with hazard ratios of 0.68 and 0.26, respectively.
How long was the follow-up period in this study?▼
Participants were followed for 4 years, from 2017 to 2021, with a median follow-up of 4.0 years.
Did walking or calisthenics reduce dementia risk?▼
No, walking and calisthenics did not show statistically significant associations with dementia risk in this study.
What population was studied?▼
The study included 5074 community-dwelling older adults in Japan, with a mean age not specified but typical of older adults.
References
- 1.Nagata K, Tsunoda K, Fujii Y, Seol J, Jindo T, Shibuya K, Okura T. “Types of Exercise and Risk of Developing Dementia in Older Japanese Community-Dwelling Adults: A Prospective Study..” Geriatrics & gerontology international, 2026. PMID: 42571904 DOI: 10.1111/ggi.70774