Alzheimerâs: Aerobic exercise may reduce cognitive decline Written by Timothy Huzar on March 3, 2021 â Fact checked by Alexandra Sanfins, Ph.D. Alzheimerâs disease affects over 5.5 million people in the United States. There is mixed evidence about the value of aerobic exercise in reducing cognitive decline for people with Alzheimerâs. The present pilot study suggests exercise may reduce cognitive decline, which warrants further research to confirm the initial findings. Researchers have found that aerobic exercise may reduce cognitive decline in people with Alzheimerâs disease. The research, published as a pilot study in the Journal of Alzheimerâs Disease, supports aerobic exercise as an intervention for people with this condition and lays the ground for future, larger studies to corroborate the initial findings.