Time and time again, I have written about the positive effects of exercise, no matter what your age. Kids, teens, middle aged and seniors can all get a positive benefit from exercising.
A new research study has shown that seniors who exercise have improved mental functioning. In the study, 100 older adults (age 65-95 years old) were part of a 24 week aerobic exercise program. They were put into 2 groups. An exercise group and an inactive sedentary group.
After 24-weeks of aerobic exercise, the exercise group experienced improvements in mental functioning:
" There was a significant improvement in motor praxis, vasomotor organization, thinking operations, and attention and concentration among older adults. "
Exercise even has an effect on inflammation in the body. When our brain is not functioning at 100% cognitive disabilities start to show up. Brain tissue damage and neural cell death causes oxidative free radical and inflammation development in the body.
"In this current study, the anti-inflammatory activity of moderate exercise was evaluated in older adults following 24-week exercise interventions. There was decrease in the levels of hs-CRP in moderately exercised older adults compared to baseline and nonexercise control values. The change in the level of hs-CRP significantly correlated with physical activity status and the improvement of cognitive abilities especially motor praxis, vasomotor organization, thinking operations, and attention and concentration in all participants."
The other group that remained inactive did not experience these effects. Overall the study showed that as we age exercise is very important. It improves well being, cognitive function and improves quality of life. I thinking making time for exercise no matter what our age is key to having the best life we can possibly have.
Source: Effects of Moderate Aerobic Exercise on Cognitive Abilities and Redox State Biomarkers in Older Adults, April 2016 Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity Volume 2016 (2016), Article ID 2545168
Picture Source: 50 and Beyond.com
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