In a new study, researchers found that the more physical activity people do in midlife the better their brain health in later life.
The research was conducted by a team at Columbia University and elsewhere.
The researchers looked at 1,604 volunteers taking part in an existing study, to see if there was a link between activity levels and brain health in later life.
The volunteers reported how much exercise they did at the start of the study and again 25 years later.
The research team categorized the amount of exercise the volunteers did at both times points as none, low, middle or high.
The researchers carried out MRI brain scans in volunteers later in life to look for signs of poorer brain health including the presence of a type of brain damage known as cerebrovascular lesions and brain shrinkage.
Scientists linked high levels of mid-life physical activity, over 150 minutes per week with better brain health in later life. This included fewer cerebrovascular lesions in late life.
The team says this research adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting exercise as an important way people can look after their brain health.
Although the people in the study self-reported their own level of exercise, which could make it less accurate, high levels of mid-life physical activity were linked with fewer signs of brain damage.
The observation that those who exercised more had less damage to the small blood vessels that spread through the brain suggest that physical activity may impact brain health largely through effects on the blood supply.
The best current evidence suggests that as well as staying physically and mentally active, eating a healthy balanced diet, not smoking, drinking only within the recommended limits and keeping weight, cholesterol and blood pressure in check are all good ways to support a healthy brain as people age.
One author of the study is Priya Palta.
The study is published in Neurology.
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