Unlocking Cognitive Gains: Short Bouts of Mild Exercise Boost Brain Function in Older Adults, Study Finds
Krissy Vann | Host, All Things Fitness and Wellness
Regular exercise has long been associated with various health benefits, and a recent study adds another feather to its cap by highlighting its positive impact on cognitive abilities in older adults. While previous research has focused on the effects of moderate to high-intensity aerobic exercises on executive functions, such as those governed by the prefrontal cortex, a new dimension emerges.
The study, building upon earlier research from the University of Tsukuba and the University of California, Irvine, delves into the realm of mild aerobic exercises, revealing their potential to invigorate the brain and offer short-term cognitive boosts.
This study set out to uncover the impact of short bouts of light exercise, like walking or yoga, on the human brain's long-term functionality. The research involved a group of healthy middle-aged and older adults, with one group engaging in low-intensity bicycle exercise three times a week for three months, while the other adhered to their regular routine. The results were illuminating, with the exercise group displaying significant improvements in executive function, especially among the older adults. This enhancement was linked to more efficient activation of the prefrontal cortex, indicating a stronger functional network within the brain.
The implications of this groundbreaking discovery are substantial. This insight into the cognitive benefits of stress-free, mild exercise over a mere three-month period underscores the potential for new exercise programs tailored to older adults with limited motivation or physical fitness levels. As the study fosters a deeper understanding of how light exercise can strengthen the prefrontal cortex and enhance cognitive function, it opens doors to more accessible and effective strategies for older individuals to maintain and improve their cognitive abilities.
Reference: “Mild exercise improves executive function with increasing neural efficiency in the prefrontal cortex of older adults” by Kyeongho Byun, Kazuki Hyodo, Kazuya Suwabe, Takemune Fukuie, Min-seong Ha, Chorphaka Damrongthai, Ryuta Kuwamizu, Hikaru Koizumi, Michael A. Yassa and Hideaki Soya, 15 June 2023, GeroScience. DOI: 10.1007/s11357-023-00816-3
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