Regular Exercise May Improve Memory and Cognitive Health

December 3 2013 

Regular Exercise May Improve Memory and Cognitive Health

Most people exercise for the sole purpose of physically bulking up, but there are also mental benefits that oftentimes go unnoticed. According to a recent study performed by researchers at the University of Texas, exercising on a regular basis can improve memory and overall cognitive health. While our memory naturally becomes progressively worse as we age, exercising may slow this progress down, essentially protecting many key parts of the brain. To learn more about this study linking exercising and memory, keep reading.

Researchers at the University of Texas closely followed a small group of 37 adults of various lifestyles and physical activity levels between the ages of 57 to 75. The 37 adults were split into two groups: one group with little-to-no exercise, and a second group that performed moderate aerobic exercise (treadmill or stationary bike) three times a week.

The study lasted for approximately 12 weeks, with researchers monitoring the participants’ physical and mental health after 6 weeks, and once again after 12 weeks. What they discovered was that participants in the exercise group experienced higher levels of blood flow to the brain, which in turn offered a number of unique benefits that wasn’t present in the control group. With just 3 days of exercise per week, participants were able to improve blood flow significantly.

In addition to improved blood flow, researchers at the University of Texas also found that participants who exercised three days a week had better memory than participants who didn’t exercise. Loss of memory is one of the single most common complaints of adults as they age. And while some people assume memory loss is a natural occurrence associated with old age, this study suggests that exercise can combat this problem in as little as 12 weeks.

“Science has shown that aging decreases mental efficiency and memory decline is the number one cognitive complaint of older adults,” said Dr. Chapman of the University of Texas.

It’s important to note that this study is based around aerobic exercise. Participants in the exercise group spent roughly an hour on the treadmill or stationary bike three times a week; therefore, it’s recommended that you also incorporate cardio exercise into your workout regime if you’re looking to reap the same cognitive health benefits.

You can read more about this study by visiting http://www.frontiersin.org.