As little as six minutes of daily high-intensity physical activity may delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study.

A new research published in The Journal of Physiology has shown that six minutes of high-intensity exercise could extend the lifespan of a healthy brain and delay the onset of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

The study found that a short but intense bout of cycling increases the production of a specialized protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) which is essential for brain formation, learning and memory, and could protect the brain from age-related cognitive decline. BDNF promotes neuroplasticity (the ability of the brain to form new connections and pathways) and the survival of neurons.

The researchers from the University of Otago, New Zealand, found that brief but vigorous exercise was the most efficient way to increase BDNF compared to one day of fasting with or without a lengthy session of light exercise.

The study had 12 physically active participants and the lead author, Travis Gibbons from University of Otago, New Zealand stated, "We are now studying how fasting for longer durations, for example up to three days, influences BDNF. We are curious whether exercising hard at the start of a fast accelerates the beneficial effects of fasting."