Increased Physical Activity Linked to Lower ALS Risk, UK Biobank Study Shows
A large UK Biobank study indicates higher levels of measured physical activity correlate with a reduced risk of developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
NEW DELHI, Nov 6: A recent analysis from the UK Biobank found that increased levels of device-measured physical activity are associated with a lower risk of developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The study included 384,836 participants with an average age of 57 and identified 541 new ALS diagnoses over a median follow-up period of 14 years.
The research revealed a significant linear relationship: for each standard deviation increase in device-measured physical activity, the risk of ALS decreased by 25%. This was not the case for self-reported physical activity, which showed a non-linear pattern. The lowest risk of ALS was found at mid-range levels of self-reported activity, with the overall association appearing more pronounced among women.
The study also examined individuals with higher genetic risks for ALS. Among those with a specific genetic marker, the association was consistent with the overall findings, although results for other genetic groups were less definitive. Researchers noted that while physical activity benefits are evident, further exploration is necessary to understand how measurement methods affect these findings.
As the study was observational, it cannot conclusively establish a causal relationship between physical activity and ALS risk. The role of exercise, especially in genetically predisposed individuals, remains a topic for further research.
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