Exercise May Protect The Aging Brain
Researchers in the Netherlands have found that aerobic exercise may increase older adults’ brainpower.
The researchers gathered data from previous clinical trials. They found that when healthy adults older than 55 improved their fitness through aerobic exercise, they also improved in memory, attention, or other mental abilities.
Dr. Maaike Angevaren and colleagues at the University of Applied Sciences in Utrecht examined 11 clinical trials from the U.S., France, and Sweden that involved 670 adults over 55 years old. Some of the studies test the effects of aerobic exercise against no exercise, and some compared flexibility, strength, or social activities.
The researchers found in 8 of the studies that participants who performed aerobic exercise showed an average improvement in their fitness levels, which correlated with improvements in certain measures of mental activity.
The researchers do note that the evidence did not show that aerobic exercise was more beneficial than other forms of exercise. Other forms of exercise may give the same benefits. Although, Dr. Angevaren did say, “improvements in cognition as a result of improvements in cardiovascular fitness are being explained by improvements in cerebral blood flow, leading to increased brain metabolism which, in turn, stimulates the production of neurotransmitters and formation of new synapses.”
Dr. Angevaren also thought that an increase in cardiovascular fitness could also protect the brain by lowering the risks of heart disease and stroke.
It is interesting that exercise is not only good for your heart but also benefits the brain. I think that just about any form of exercise would be beneficial, but it does seem like cardiovascular exercise could increase blood flow to the brain. I know that I feel much more alert after a good workout.
Reference: MedLine Plus
Sphere It143 views
Related posts:
- Endorphins Not Only Make You Feel Good, But May Also Protect Your Heart
- Continued Aerobic Exercise May Postpone Aging By Up To 12 Years
- Testosterone May Protect Against Eating Disorders
Did you enjoy this post? Why not leave a comment below and continue the conversation, or subscribe to my feed and get articles like this delivered automatically each day to your feed reader.
Trackbacks & Pingbacks
[…] unknown wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptThe researchers found in 8 of the studies that participants who performed aerobic exercise showed an average improvement in their fitness levels, which correlated with improvements in certain measures of mental activity. … […]
[…] Bill Howard wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptResearchers in the Netherlands have found that aerobic exercise may increase older adults’ brainpower. The researchers gathered data from previous clinical trials. They found that when healthy adults older than 55 improved their fitness … […]
[…] unknown wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptThe researchers found in 8 of the studies that participants who performed aerobic exercise showed an average improvement in their fitness levels, which correlated with improvements in certain measures of mental activity. … […]
[…] Continue Reading […]
Comments
Leave a comment
Line and paragraph breaks automatic, e-mail address never displayed, HTML allowed: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <code> <em> <i> <strike> <strong>
How can I email you to tell you about a book that may be of interest to you?
cbmccleary,
I would definitely appreciate any book recommendations.
I justed added a contact page, and you can use that to get in touch with me. I have been meaning to do this for a while now. Thank you for the reminder.
Mike