Get Smart!

As I was doing some research for this article the other day, I came across a rather disturbing idea….that the brain starts it’s age related decline after age 30! After doing some quick mental math (let’s see, um, I am 47 years old now, minus 30..) I realized that my brain has been declining for 17 years! Bummer.

There is an encouraging side to this news. New research indicates that exercise makes older people smarter by slowing age-related brain decline.

Many of you have probably heard about the study reported in the journal Nature in 1999 which studied previously sedentary people over the age of 60. Those who walked vigorously for 45 minutes three days a week significantly improved their mental processing abilities that usually decline with age. I remember reading about this study back in ‘99 and thinking that it makes sense. After all, I know quite a few active older people who are “still sharp as a tack”, as my Mom would say.

In 2003, a new study was released which added fuel to this idea that exercise helps keep brain aging at bay. This study was sponsored by the National Institute on Aging, part of the United States National Institute of Health. In this study, researchers studied well educated adults aged 55 to 79 by taking brain scans (MRI) of participants and by putting this together with findings from previous research. The results were very enlightening.

The MRI scans showed significant differences in the brains of the fitter individuals. What’s more, both the learning and memory stuff (grey matter) and the signal transmission bits (white matter) were denser in the fitter folks. Although the researchers used the words “improved cognitive function” to describe the results of the findings, what these findings say to me is that the fitter participants learn faster, think faster and remember better. Pretty cool stuff.

Another interesting thing about this study is the comparison of brain density of older fit people. That is to say that fitness in and of itself is does not seem to be a predictor of brain density. When taken in the context of fit people over 30, however, the brain differences were significant.

Some other interesting things that the researchers noticed were that participants who exercised more than 30 minutes per day had the most benefit. The most effective “brain-building” exercise method used by participants was a combination of aerobics and weight training. Women on hormone replacement therapy showed more brain benefit from exercise than those not on the therapy.

So…the next time you don’t feel like working out, just remember that moving your body makes your brain work better too. Now that’s time well spent don’t you think? Look good and get smart!

Article Source: http://www.bodyformind.com/db

Ainsley Laing, MSc. has 25 years experience in Group Exercise, Nutrition and Personal Training. She writes exclusively for the Anti-Aging Fitness Program and Body for Mind - Wellness Lifestyle for Successful People. Download  a FREE copy of  "Perpetual Wellbeing - 4 Steps to Ageless Sex Appeal"

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