Does Exercise and Physical Activity Help Your Brain ?
Exercise helps the brain – whatever your age.
Yes, it does.
AT ANY AGE
Brain and memory changes happen to everyone around the age of 50 or so. For most of us, it is just a sign that we need to be more active about how we remember.
Dr Allison Lamont and Gillian Eadie of the Memory Foundation
Dr Allison Lamont and Gillian Eadie of the Memory Foundation talked with Dr Jian Guan, from the University of Auckland’s Centre for Brain Research. They discussed why these changes happen and also, more importantly, what we can all do about keeping the brain working at peak.
These are Dr Guan’s four main reasons why the brain ‘ages’.
- Our age-related hormones decline
- Living a sedentary lifestyle
- Lacking mental and physical activity
- Poor nutrition & obesity
(these affect heart health and blood supply to the brain)
Did you notice that factors 2, 3 and 4 are under YOUR control?
Dr Guam noted that exercise is very important for cell regeneration. “A gentle walk, twenty minutes a day,” is her recommendation
Exercise is SO important!
Even a little exercise can yield tremendous gains.
A recent U.S. study involved more than 1,700 adults over a six-year period. Most noteworthy, adults over 65 who exercised for 15 minutes three times a week reduced their risk for dementia by one-third.
“This study adds to growing evidence that moderate exercise is the closest thing we have to a magic wellness bullet for everyone,” said William Thies, vice-president of the Alzheimer’s Association for medical and scientific affairs, in a press release following the report.
“Moderate physical activity has all kinds of benefits and almost no downside.”
This action is a great circulation booster
What if illness or lack of mobility prevents normal physical activity?
Memory Foundation was excited to find that the Aircycle has been designed to give anyone chair-bound the chance to keep circulation, nutrients and oxygen flowing to the brain.
Jenny of Aircycle adds: Twenty minutes exercise per day is recommended. When age, occupation, illness or mobility issues prevent you from achieving this, the Aircycle will keep you moving. The “treadle” exercise can help promote healthy blood flow, even while you are restricted by joint pain and stiffness or sitting at a computer all day. Hence, you can use the Aircycle and help the brain, whatever your age or level of fitness.
Lots of ideas to help your brain.
Ready to live a brain-healthy lifestyle?
Memory Foundation’s 7-Day Brain Boost Plan by Dr Allison Lamont & Gillian Eadie combines the exercise, mental challenges, suggested meals, stretches and relaxation you need to support your brain and memory.
Tags: Aircycle, Blood flow, Circulation, Exercise, Gentle exercise
