Research shows that prevention of neurodegenerative disorders comes from exercising and being fit.
The report of American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Bulletin suggests that to keep your brain healthy, you must stay fit. Professor Urho Kujala of the University of Jyväskylä in Finland said in a press release, "Overall, the study shows that moderately vigorous physical activity, meaning more strenuous than walking, is associated with better cognition after an average of 25 years."
In a conducted survey of a team from universities of Helsinki, Jyväskylä and Turku back in 1975 and 1981, people aged 45 years old were asked if they engaged in physical activity and how intense their workouts were.
The next part of the survey was conducted between 1999 and 2015 through telephone interview. The results showed that vigorous activities besides walking could help better cognitive functions. Studies also indicate that physically active people have lower rates of Alzheimer's disease and other age-related neurodegenerative disorders.
According to AARP notes, the hippocampus (part of the brain that is responsible for memory) shrinks as one ages and thus could be a reason for dementia. Walking for 40 minutes, three times a week for six months, increases the size of hippocampus. In contrast, walking less resulted to smaller hippocampi.
In a report in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, it's been said that exercising can boost memory health no matter how vigorous people work out. It doesn't mean that exercising is good no matter how hard you train.
The new research sheds the light on the link of physical activity to prevention of dementia. Exercise, as people know, is one step to protect oneself from diseases, even with the kinds affecting the brain. There may be no cure for dementia but at least it can be prevented. In addition to these results, exercise also helps younger adults gain better memory and better cognitive function.
Exercise does miracles to your body. It may seem silly but the fruits of your labor are definitely worth it.
