Exercise keeps older people's brains in shape

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Exercise keeps older people's brains in shape

Last Updated: 2002-06-27 17:00:39 -0400 (Reuters Health)

By Charnicia E. Huggins

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Active octogenarians appear to be more

focused and less easily distracted than their sedentary peers, study

findings suggest.

" By leading an active, involved lifestyle, you may be able to maintain

your ability to think and react to situations well into late life, "

study author Dr. Walter R. Bixby, of the University of land in

College Park, told Reuters Health.

" This is especially important for getting through tasks of daily living

when one considers driving, walking down the street with groceries,

following directions, etc., " he added.

To investigate the association between physical activity and brain

function, Bixby and his colleagues studied 106 seniors whose average age

was 80. The seniors completed a survey about the amount of time they

spent each week participating in five physical activities--vigorous

activity, leisure walking, moving, standing, and sitting--and afterwards

took part in a test of their focusing abilities.

The investigators found that those who participated in higher levels of

physical activity scored higher on the test, meaning they were better

able to focus on the task at hand despite surrounding distractions, than

the less-active seniors.

Further, Bixby noted that the patients were not extremely physically

fit. Thus, " a moderate level of physical activity, not necessarily an

exercise training plan per se, but just doing something, may lead to

improvements in one's cognitive ability, " he said.

In light of the findings, " the main recommendation for anyone young or

old, would be to try and incorporate some form of physical activity into

your life, " Bixby said. " Also, try and keep your mind active by reading,

doing crosswords, or trying to learn new or different materials. "

In a second study, Deeny, a doctoral student at the University of

land, also investigated the effect of physical activity on brain

functioning in a group of 36 men and women aged 66 to 89. For his study,

Deeny used brain scans to measure inhibitory function--meaning the

ability to focus on one thing over another.

He and his colleagues found that a higher level of physical activity was

associated with better focusing abilities, but only among men.

There are several possible ways that physical exercise could help

preserve brain functioning, Deeny said. For example, " higher

cardiovascular fitness may cause more blood flow and oxygenation in the

brain. "

Because of his team's findings, Deeny said his future research will

include individuals who are genetically susceptible to Alzheimer's

disease, to determine whether any relationships exist between their

physical activity levels and brain functioning.

In the meantime, he advises that individuals " stay physically and

mentally active. " Deeny added, " Healthy body, healthy mind. "

The findings of both studies were presented recently at the North

American Society for Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity

Conference in Hunt Valley, land.