Exercise has been known to help combat depression and anxiety, but emerging research from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences shows that keeping active could also be a tool in hindering the effects of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

Researchers found the act of exercising produces chemicals that can prevent inflammation in the brain. This is especially important, researchers said,necause attempts to reduce inflammation and increase cognitive function in Alzheimer’s patients with pharmaceuticals have not been successful. There is currently no known cure for Alzheimer’s.

In an interview with Elsevier, which published the study, researcher Ruth Barrientos from the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of Colorado said the research is a call for more focus on exercise therapy as a way to combat the negative impacts of neurological diseases.

“The study on the role of exercise as a therapeutic intervention will undoubtedly get a workout in the years to come. Perhaps the greatest challenge with this line of research will not be more discoveries of compelling evidence of the anti-neuroinflammatory effects of exercise, but instead, getting humans to exercise voluntarily and regularly.”