In a study from Wake Forest School of Medicine, scientists found that even a simple exercise routine just might help older people with mild memory problems.
They did the longest test of whether exercise makes any difference once memory starts to slide.
In the study, researchers recruited about 300 sedentary older adults with hard-to-spot memory changes called mild cognitive impairment or MCI—a condition that’s sometimes, but not always, a precursor to Alzheimer’s.
Half of the people were assigned aerobic exercises and the rest stretching-and-balance moves that only modestly raised their heart rate.
The older people doing aerobic exercises were asked to get moving for 30 to 45 minutes four times a week, whether it was on a vigorous turn on the treadmill or the stretching exercises.
After a year, the team found cognitive testing showed overall neither group had worsened. Nor did brain scans show the shrinkage that accompanies worsening memory problems.
They found similar MCI patients without exercise experienced a stronger cognitive decline over a year.
The results suggest exercise needs to be part of the prevention strategies for at-risk older people.
Previous research has found that regular physical activity of any sort may reduce damaging inflammation and increase blood flow to the brain.
The researchers suggest that even the simple stretching added up to an apparent benefit. Older people could exercise without formal support for an additional six months.
In the next step, the team will do a larger study of older adults to see if adding exercise to other can’t-hurt steps such as a heart-healthy diet, brain games, and social stimulation together may reduce the risk of dementia.
If you care about brain health, please read studies about a major cause of depression in older people, and these fruits could slow down brain aging, and cognitive decline.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies about how to repair a damaged brain after a stroke, and results showing this drug for mental health may harm the brain.
The study was conducted by Laura Baker et al and presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference.
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