Researchers at the University of Arizona completed a study that positively linked physical fitness to healthier brains among older adults according to a Monday November 14th report by the Wallstreet Journal. The study found that aerobic exercise improved significant parts in the brain that pertain to your memory and attention span.
The study analyzed the neural differences in men and women ages 50 to 89 and showed a direct relationship between physical fitness and healthier brains in those who exercised on a regular basis. The findings of this study will be presented this week at a meeting in Washington D.C. for the Society of Neuroscience.
58 men and 65 women participated in this study held at the University of Arizona Brain Imaging, Behavior & Aging Laboratory. The participants took to the treadmills during the experiment to measure fitness levels and how it impacted neural activation.
Aging has a natural declining in physical and cognitive functioning. Commonly referred to as “senior moments”, older adults sometimes have a hard time remembering things or might forget things. In more severe cases, this could be the precursor for conditions like Alzheimer’s. In addition to memory improvements, exercise for the elderly can also improve flexibility, range of motion, balance, and muscular strength for daily living. Besides treadmills, elderly can participate in other aerobic activities like aqua aerobics, yoga, and cycling.
Over the years scientists have searched for answers to what causes Alzheimer’s other than age. Unfortunately, there isn’t a universally accepted cause other than the shrinking of the brain due to age. Previous studies have showed that exercise can help delay health conditions related to aging. This recent study by the University of Arizona went a step further and showed that exercise not only delays age related conditions but might also prevent it depending on your genetics and consistency in exercising.