Getting Started
Have you ever wondered if running around in the playground or participating in P.E. class could be doing more than just helping you stay fit?
Could it also be keeping your mind sharp and bright? Well, new research says it might be true!
What’s The Story?
Scientists from Wake Forest School of Medicine decided to do a study to figure this out. They worked with people who are a bit older and don’t usually exercise.
These people were chosen because they were experiencing some minor problems with their memory and thinking, which can happen as people age.
Scientists wondered if exercise could help improve or at least slow down these problems.
How Did They Do It?
They chose nearly 300 people who didn’t exercise much and split them into two groups.
The first group started doing more intense exercise, like fast walking or even jogging, which is similar to what you might do during a rigorous game of soccer or basketball in P.E. class.
The second group did lighter exercises like stretching and balancing—kind of like what you might do during a gentle yoga session.
And Then What?
Everyone in the study kept up with their new exercise habits for an entire year, with the help of trainers from the YMCA.
Then, the researchers tested their memory and thinking skills to see if anything had changed. This was done at the start of the study, after six months, and then again at the end of the year.
What Did They Find Out?
Interestingly, they found out that everyone who exercised, whether it was hard or light exercise, was able to keep their memory and thinking skills pretty much the same over the year.
That might not seem like a big deal, but the researchers had expected that people’s memory and thinking skills would get worse over time if they didn’t do anything. So, this was a pretty cool finding!
What Does This Mean?
This study tells us that regular exercise, no matter how intense it is, could help keep our brains healthy as we get older.
It’s like a secret weapon against forgetting things or having trouble thinking. But don’t forget, this is just one study, and scientists still have a lot more to learn about how exercise affects our brains.
Extra Information: Alzheimer’s and Exercise
Alzheimer’s is a disease that affects the brain. It makes people forget things and have trouble thinking. It usually happens to older people, but scientists are still not sure why it happens or how to stop it.
For a long time, scientists thought that the disease was caused by a type of protein (amyloid beta plaques) that builds up in the brain. However, medicines that tried to get rid of this protein didn’t work very well.
This new study on exercise gives scientists a fresh new idea to explore. If exercise can help keep our brains healthy, it might also help prevent or slow down diseases like Alzheimer’s.
This is a very exciting possibility that could help a lot of people in the future!
Wrapping Up
Remember, staying active and exercising regularly is not only good for your body but also for your brain.
So, whether you love soccer, dancing, or even just taking your dog for a walk, keep moving! Your brain will thank you.
So, the next time you’re sprinting across the playground or stretching in P.E. class, remember: not only are you having fun and keeping your body healthy, but you’re also doing a great job keeping your brain sharp!
If you care about dementia, please read studies that 7 healthy habits could help lower dementia risk for people with diabetes, and this antibiotic drug may effectively treat common dementia.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies that high doses of common depression drug could temporarily switch off the brain, and results showing watch for these potential heart and brain problems after COVID-19.
The study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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