Mikaela Bloomberg from UCL highlights the significant benefits of physical activity for both heart and brain health. Engaging in regular exercise not only improves long-term cognitive function and reduces dementia risk, but it also provides a short-term cognitive boost lasting from minutes to potentially 24 hours, based on recent research. This enhancement is crucial as it can help older adults stay mentally sharp and independent.
The study involved 76 participants aged 50-83 who wore activity trackers for eight days to monitor their physical activity and sleep patterns. The results demonstrated that those who engaged in more moderate-to-vigorous exercise, like jogging or cycling, showed improvements in episodic and working memory the following day. Additionally, sleep quality, particularly slow-wave sleep, was found to positively impact memory performance, independent of physical activity levels.
Interestingly, sedentary behavior was linked to poorer working memory scores the next day. While the improvements in memory were modest, the findings underscore the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle and good sleep as we age. These results could pave the way for future research into cognitive function improvements among individuals with neurodegenerative diseases.
This study emphasizes the role of physical activity and sleep in stimulating blood flow and brain chemicals, crucial for cognitive function. As we age, fostering an active lifestyle paired with quality sleep can be a vital component for maintaining cognitive health.
Mikaela Bloomberg is a Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at UCL. This article was originally published in The Conversation and is republished under a Creative Commons license.
Original Source: https://nenow.in/health/exercise-boosts-memory-for-up-to-24-hours-after-a-workout-new-research.html
Category : Health,Lifestyle
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Publish Date: 2024-12-13 23:23:00
