Exercise is an important element of a well-lived life. Exercise itself builds muscle and promotes oxygen utilisation as well keeping weight off. All of these things improve physical health and there is even evidence the act of sitting itself, not merely the fact of not exercising, has negative health effects. So your body definitely needs to be moved and now a new study shows that your mind needs you to move your body as well.
In the study subjects aged between 57 and 75 were out into two groups. One group was a control group who were told they were on a waiting list and did nothing. The other group took part in an exercise program involving one hour on a treadmill or stationary bike three times a week for 12 weeks.
All participants had brain function tests, resting cerebral blood flow tests, and cardiovascular fitness tests at the beginning, mid-point, and end of the 12 week study.
The results showed that there was in increase in blood flow to the anterior cingulate and the hippocampus. The hippocampus is involved in memory and is commonly involved in Alzheimer’s Disease. The anterior cingulate is linked to thinking capabilities especially in later life. As a result the subjects’ performance on memory tests also improved.
Other research has shown that physical exercise also increases whole brain blood flow as well as circulation to these specific brain areas.
Of course, physical fitness after the 12 weeks of this study also improved.
So although aerobic activity on a bike or treadmill may seem like a physical activity it is in fact a holistic activity. For older people maintaining mental health and acuity consistently comes up on surveys as being of major importance. At the time when people are retiring from paid work, if they are not already doing it, they need to be getting aerobically fit to stay mentally fit. It appears that when you get off the treadmill is when you need to get on the treadmill.
