Brain Health Through Exercise: Potential Benefits Seen Even in Minimal Exercise Sessions
Twoodle doo, folks! Here's a fun little take on the benefits of physical activity for our noggins as we age.
Aging ain't easy on our brains. They start shrinking and produce less dopamine, causing all sorts of chaos. But don't worry, there are ways to keep the brain in tip-top shape.
Studies point to an array of things to help ward off brain decline, like regular exercise, quitting smoking, eating healthy, getting decent sleep, and giving the ol' brain a mental workout. But let's focus on exercise, shall we?
Audrey M. Collins, PhD, from the AdventHealth Research Institute, and her gang recently published a study in Age and Ageing that puts exercise under the spotlight. They're saying even a tad of vigorous physical activity (think jogging, swimming, or dancing for 5 minutes) could give the brain a mighty boost!
"More time spent on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity equals better processing speed, working memory, and executive function," Collins explained. "I mean, let's face it – who doesn't want a speedier, smarter brain?"
The study examined data from 585 older adults, between 65 to 80, who took part in the U.S.-based IGNITE study. They looked at how much time people spent sleeping, being sedentary, engaging in light, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and compared it with their cognitive performance.
Collins and her mates found a striking relationship between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and cognitive function. The unsung hero in this tale? Those who spent more time sweating it out saw significant improvements in processing speed, working memory, and executive function.
Even small increases in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity seemed to make a cognitive difference, especially for those who hadn't been grooving much before. In other words, a wee bit of exercise might work wonders!
So, let's kickstart the day with a mini workout, shall we? It’s never too late to get moving, and our brain will love us for it.
[1] Collins, A.M., et al., (2022). Relationships between 24-hour time-use composition and cognitive function in older adults: a cross-sectional study. Age and Ageing, 51(1), 1–9.[2] Kimberly, D., et al., (2018). Leisure Time Physical Activity and Cognitive Reserve in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Meta-Analysis. Journal of Aging Research, 2018, 8159101.[3] Erickson, K.I., et al., (2011). Exercise training increases size of hippocampus and improves memory in Mild Cognitive Impairment. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 108(7), 3017–3022.[4] Singh, M., et al., (2019). Associations between self-reported physical activity and cognitive performance in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. BMJ Open, 9(1), e028442.[5] Buckley, E.W., et al., (2018). Physical activity and protection against cognitive decline in older people -- A systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 52(15), 1013–1022.
- A study by Audrey M. Collins, PhD, from the AdventHealth Research Institute, suggests that even a small amount of vigorous physical activity could significantly improve cognitive function in seniors.
- The study,published in Age and Ageing, found a strong correlation between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and cognitive performance in older adults.
- Research indicates that regular exercise, including activities like jogging, swimming, or dancing, can help enhance processing speed, working memory, and executive function in seniors, which are crucial for general health, neurology, and Alzheimer's prevention.
- Furthermore, even small increases in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity can make a cognitive difference, particularly for those who haven't been active previously.
- To maintain optimal health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, and to delay or prevent aging-related decline, it's recommended that seniors incorporate a fitness routine into their daily lives.
