Alice RD
Give Your Neurons a Workout
Physical activity reduces risk for cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Need another reason to exercise? Turns out it’s a workout for your brain as well.
Two recent studies looked at exercise and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). MCI typically involves memory impairment, but can also affect language, attention, reasoning, judgment, reading and writing.
In the first study participants who reported moderate exercise during midlife or later life were less likely to have MCI. The authors suggest this may be due to production of nerve-protecting compounds, greater blood flow to the brain or other neuronal and cardiovascular benefits. Although people who are more physically active could also “show the same type of discipline in dietary habits, accident prevention…compliance with medical care and similar health-promoting behaviors.”
The second study followed 29 participants (average age 70) with MCI. Those randomly assigned to an exercise group, completed 4 days per week of 45 to 60 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity. The control group did stretching exercises, but maintained low heart rates.
The vigorous exercisers showed improved cognitive function compared to the control group. The authors point out that this would be a cost-effective practice to improve cognitive performance without the adverse effects of many drug therapies.
Seemingly simple, exercising consistently is difficult for many Americans. If you’re looking for ideas, AICR offers tips on starting and maintaining a physical activity program.
If you’re already a regular exerciser, how do you manage to fit it in? Let us know.
