Increased research attention has been made in recent years the relationship between dementia and football, as studies have shown that recurrent head blows are associated with early neurophympant, which is a factor that may lead to neurodegeneration, reduced white substance and whitewash in mental trials. On the other hand, another sport, table tennis, the well-known ping pong, is now recommended as a method of preventing Alzheimer’s disease and enhances the treatment of dementia.

Two announcements on ‘football as a potential risk factor Alzheimer’s disease“And” We catch up by playing table tennis “, are presented at the 14th Panhellenic Congress of Alzheimer’s Disease, which is held in Thessaloniki.

“Symptoms of dementia in players may include memory loss, concentration difficulties, confusion and changes in behavior. In addition, anatomical and normal changes are observed, such as brain damage associated with chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Research, in particular, have made it clear the connection of chronic traumatic encephalopathy to dementia, as it is a possible cause of both the latest and mobile difficulties, while Alzheimer’s disease appears as an accompanying finding and is increasingly considered a part of the pathological entity of chronic traumatic encephalopathy in older people. In addition, increased mortality has been observed due to neurodegenerative diseases in football players compared to the general population and the frequency of prescription medication related to dementia is greater in the particular population group, ” Elina Karathanassis, Anna Koutoupas, Konstantinos Lysitsa and Emeritus Professor AUTH Magda Tsolaki.

The announcement presents the results of a study resulting from the comparison of 14 patients, 7 former players with Alzheimer’s disease and 7 patients with Alzheimer’s disease without prior football. Data collected from neuropsychological assessment, magnetic imaging and biomarkers analyze the absence of statistically significant differences in mental functioning, functionality in daily activities and depression.

Ping-pong, the best brain’s sport

The best sport of the brain is characterized by the table tennis and a member of the Scientific Committee of “Solidarity” Heraklion, Paul Potouridisin the announcement presented at the conference.

“The effectiveness of non -pharmaceutical treatments in dementia and mild mental disorder is a question of many modern research. No one can dispute that even mild intensity physical activity contributes decisively to maintaining our physical condition and shielding our health. The benefits of gymnastics have been known for decades and have been involved in all populations. Table tennis is a sport that people of all ages and levels of fitness can enjoy due to low risk of injury. In addition to physical activity, it is also a great mental work. It’s not just a good cardiovascular exercise, but it’s also a very good aerobic training. Numerous studies have shown that the table tennis activates various areas of the brain at the same time. It is also characterized as “high -speed chess”. The ping-pong game is now recommended as a method of preventing Alzheimer’s disease and enhances the treatment of dementia, ”Mr Potouridis notes.