Whatever you decide to do, whether taking a stroll around the block or participating in a marathon, may help prevent dementia as you age. According to researchers from University College London Medical School, any kind of exercise at any age improves cognitive abilities later in life. However, according to the researchers, the greatest way to maintain cognition and mental acuity in adulthood is to follow an exercise regimen.
Exercising beneficial to cognitive functioning
The study’s findings were “statistically significant” after accounting for a child’s brain abilities, family income, and education. The research team was interested in learning whether the physical activity would be more advantageous at certain “sensitive” times in a person’s life or over a longer period of time.
More than 1,400 British women and men participated in the study. The researchers looked at the correlations between a range of cognitive measures at age 69 and the participant’s reported leisure activities at ages 36, 43, 53, 60 to 64, and 69. The team divided physical activity levels into three categories: not at all, mildly active (1-4 times per month), and most active (more than five times per month). They then added the results of all five analyses to produce a final score ranging from zero (not at all) to five (very active).
Individuals that exercise at any stage of their life have high cognitive abilities
According to the findings, 11% of subjects were sedentary during all five stages of their lives, compared to 17% who were active in one stage, 20% who were active throughout 2-3 stages, 17% who were active throughout four age phases, and 15% who were still active over all five.
The study’s authors discovered that being active and fit during all five points results in improved verbal memory, processing power, and cognitive function by age 69. The researchers added that this suggests that being highly active at any stage in life, even if exercising once a month, is connected with improved cognition. Furthermore, the effect is identical throughout all adult stages and for moderately and highly physically active individuals.
