Exercising is helpful for both body and mind, and it's true for people of all ages.
The latest study published in IOS Press claims that physical activity can decrease dementia in older people.
Let's find out more.
The research
A recent study published in the Journal for Alzheimer's Disease Reports examined older adults with normal brain function and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a precursor to Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers found that exercise training can strengthen brain connections that typically deteriorate in MCI and Alzheimer's.
The study involved supervised treadmill walking for 12 weeks by participants aged 71-85.
How the experiment was conducted
Before and after the program, story recall abilities were assessed, and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) measured changes in brain network communication.
After exercise, participants showed improved story recall and stronger, synchronized brain activity.
The findings suggest exercise may prevent or stabilize MCI and potentially delay conversion to Alzheimer's dementia.
Enhanced activity was observed in the default mode and salience networks and their connections.
It can become a great tool to fight the disease
This study highlights exercise as a promising non-pharmacological intervention for cognitive decline and brain function improvement.
