For the 4th consecutive year, the Vaincre Alzheimer Foundation is organizing the #BougeTonCerveau campaign from April 2 to June 2, which highlights the benefits of physical activity to combat cognitive decline: on the program is a sporting challenge “that aims for the moon” and a solidarity race.
- #BougeTonCerveau is a campaign that aims to raise awareness of the benefits of physical activity to combat cognitive decline.
- It is organized every year by the Fondation Vaincre Alzheimer since 2021.
- The challenge is that the participants cover 384,400 km together in two months. A race is also planned in the Bois de Boulogne on June 2, 2024 to raise funds for research.
After leading 1,700 people to collectively cover more than 300,000 km last year, the Vaincre Alzheimer Foundation has set itself the 2024 goal of reaching the moon, or 384,400 km, with its collaborative sporting challenge #bougetonbrain.
This operation to raise awareness of the benefits of physical activity on cognitive health takes place over two months: from April 2 to June 2, 2024.
Alzheimer’s: a collaborative challenge to fight the disease
Whether walking, running, cycling or swimming, participants are invited to pool the kilometers they cover daily to cover the distance between the earth and the moon. How did such a goal come about? “Last year, we had a target of 200,000 km which we far exceeded. We have reached more than 300,000 km. So we told ourselves that reaching the moon was possible. It’s also a way for us to say that we hope to one day overcome Alzheimer’s disease. This seems to be a lunar objective today… But it can be possible, if we all get started together“, explains Catherine Silva, Director of Communication and Resource Development during the conference presenting the operation launched on April 2 at the French National Olympic and Sports Committee.
To participate in this challenge that moves you, you must register for the #BougeTonBerveau challenge then download the RunMotion Coach application, a partner of the foundation. A minimum amount of 7 euros, which entitles you to a tax receipt, is requested from volunteers. The amounts collected will be used to finance the foundation’s awareness and research actions. For those who like to work in a team, it is possible to join a Region and/or Company team via the application.
“Last year, we had 1,717 participants in the #MoveYourBrain challenge. This year, we would like to reach at least 2,000.” And to achieve this, the organization will also be able to count on volunteers from all over the world. Indeed, for the first time since its launch, the collective challenge is exported outside French borders. The application is available in 170 countries, including Belgium and Canada.
To close this campaign, the Vaincre Alzheimer Foundation is also organizing for the second year a solidarity race in the Bois de Boulogne on Sunday June 2, 2024. Participants have the choice between a 5 km or 10 km course for the more athletic. Children over 4 years old are also invited to participate in the fight against Alzheimer’s by placing themselves on the starting line of a 900 m circuit. The 3 winners of each race will receive a prize, as will all the little runners.
Cognitive decline: physical activity reduces risks by up to 45%
It is no coincidence that the Vaincre Alzheimer Foundation is launching its operations which encourage people to be more active. “According to studies, doing physical activity will reduce our risk of cognitive decline by 35% to 45%. Which is quite considerable.”explains Dr Marion Lévy, Head of Studies and Research at the Vaincre Alzheimer Foundation.
Scientists have, among other things, demonstrated that regular physical activity – such as running, swimming, cycling, but also gardening, dancing, walking or playing ping-pong – increases cerebral blood flow and prevents reduction in brain volume, particularly in the hippocampus, a brain region associated with memory and the production of new neurons (neurogenesis). Which helps in the fight against cognitive decline.
“The latest studies have shown that when we contract our muscles, they produce molecules called myokine and lactact. These molecules pass into the blood and go to the brain. Once inside, they participate in the production of protein BDNF which promotes the well-being of neurons and the production of new ones. So the more we exercise, the more BDNF there is in our brain, the more neurogenesis there is. Which improves cognitive functions or at least slows down the declineadds the scientist.
“According to European predictions, the number of cases of neurocognitive pathologies is expected to double to reach 18.8 million patients in 2050 in Europe. It seemed important to us to alert the population about ways to prevent these diseases. Sport is “one of them. Our #BougeTonCerveau campaign allows us to inform and raise awareness among the general public in a fun way.”concludes Catherine Silva.