BLOG POST - Exercise also trains the brain

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Los Angeles Times

Booster Shots

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January 13, 2010 | 11:58 am

Exercise also trains the brain

We know exercise has a positive effect on the body, but more and more

evidence shows that regular exercise may be good for the mind too. The

latest information comes by way of two studies released this week in

Archives of Neurology that show the possible benefits of physical

activity on cognitive function.

In one paper, researchers found that six months of high-intensity

aerobic exercise was linked with improved cognitive function. The

small study included 33 people, about half women, average age 70. The

participants had mild cognitive impairment, described as a condition

between the normal cognitive changes that occur with aging and

dementia. They were divided into two groups -- an exercise group that

did 45 to 60 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity four days a week for

six months and a control group that did stretching and kept their

heart rates much lower.

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Not an MD