HONG KONG - REGULAR, moderate exercise may help improve memory in older people and delay the onset of dementia, a study in Australia shows.

The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, involved 170 participants aged 50 and over who reported some memory trouble but who did not have dementia.

Half engaged in moderate exercise, such as walking, for 50 minutes three times a week, while the others did no exercise.

After six months, the participants were given memory and other tests, including recalling lists of words. Those who exercised fared markedly better than those who did not.

'The trial is the first to demonstrate that exercise improves cognitive function in older adults with subjective and objective mild cognitive impairment,' according to the report.

'The benefits of physical activity were apparent after 6 months and persisted for at least another 12 months after the intervention had been discontinued.'

With the ageing of populations everywhere, an estimated 37 million people worldwide now live with dementia, with Alzheimer's disease making up the majority of cases, according to the World Health Organisation.

That figure is expected to increase rapidly over the next 20 years and researchers are looking for ways to help delay the onset of dementia. -- REUTERS