#174 | Dodging Dementia in the Older Athlete

Amanda Wiggins, PhD

Amanda Wiggins completed a BSc(Hons) in Neuroscience at University of Otago in New Zealand. University of Otago
She then earned a PhD in neuroscience at the University of Melbourne in Australia. University of Otago
Her interest lies in turning neuroscience/brain research into useful products — especially given the rising prevalence of neurological conditions as populations age.

What “brain-fitness” means in the context of an athlete who’s been training for years and now faces the extra variable of aging and brain-health risk.
How to measure risk.
The research-based links between physical activity, vascular health, cognitive resilience, and how athletes might benefit—or in some cases put themselves at risk—if they don’t pay attention.
Practical, actionable habits and interventions that older athletes can adopt today to sharpen their mind, and guard against memory loss, dementia or cognitive decline.
And lastly: how to take all this science and apply it to training, recovery, lifestyle and mindset in a way that feels meaningful, sustainable and empowering.

From around the age of 50, IGF-1 activity naturally begins to decline, and this process can be accelerated by stress, poor lifestyle choices, or specific genetic conditions. When IGF-1 levels or function are reduced, the body’s demand for cGP increases, yet it becomes harder to produce enough. Without adequate cGP, IGF-1 cannot work effectively, which may affect brain health, cardiovascular wellbeing, and energy levels.

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*This content is never meant to be medical advice