A new study found that both forms of exercise help prevent cognitive decline and keep the mind sharp, whether you like going for a run or just stretching on a yoga mat.
One of the most significant studies to date examining how exercise intensity affects memory loss and cognitive decline is the EXERT Study, which was co-led by Laura Baker, Ph.D., a psychologist at the Wake Forest School of Medicine, and was published by the National Institute of Aging.
Drills
Under the supervision of their neighborhood YMCA, 300 formerly inactive older persons exercised for up to 45 minutes four days a week for one year.
Half of the participants performed stretching and balance drills, while the other half performed moderately strenuous cardiovascular activity.
Regular Aerobic Exercise
Regular aerobic exercise has previously been related to a slowed rate of cognitive deterioration. According to research from 2021 that was published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, aerobic exercise slows down overall mental deterioration. It is thus advised for usage as an adjuvant treatment for Alzheimer's disease.
The authors also mention other studies that have linked aerobic exercise to better physical function and lessened behavioral and psychological dementia symptoms.
The Exert Study
The EXERT study was designed to examine the relationship between exercise and brain health, the precise kind of workouts that are effective for cognitive decline, and if exercise intensity mattered at all.
In the EXERT research, participants agreed to engage in various activities for 30 to 45 minutes on four days each week. The regular exercise was demonstrated to reduce brain shrinkage and MCI over time, whether strenuous treadmill sessions or stretches to keep the blood circulating.