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Physical activity is considered the best medicine in many areas, including staying mentally fit for as long as possible. A new study now shows which aspects of intellectual abilities can be influenced by exercise.
First, on the treadmill, and then on the questionnaire, 650 people between the ages of 65 and 80 had to prove their physical fitness, after which they were given various tests. The speed with which the participants processed information, short-term memory, visual-spatial perception, and the ability to plan and organize were examined.
The study, which has now been published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, showed that the better the physical fitness, the better the cognitive tests’ results—in all areas examined—regardless of the participant’s age and whether they carry the Alzheimer’s risk gene APO E4.
The study’s authors suspect that exercise promotes blood flow and the formation of new nerve cells in the brain, reduces oxidative stress, and changes the shape and structure of the white and grey matter in the brain, thereby improving the ability to process information and emotions. In addition, exercise has a positive effect on sleep and mood—factors that also significantly impact mental abilities.
- source: orf.at/picture: pixabay.com
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