Cognitive Benefits of Exercise

Your Brain on Exercise

Boost your memory, score higher grades, and ward off dementia—the same workouts that get your body into top shape can help keep your brain fit, too
By Hollis Templeton fitbie
 

Protect Your Brain Cells and Stay Sharp Late in Life

Certain cognitive skills—your ability to make rapid comparisons, for example—get a little rusty later in life, and some studies suggest that this process can begin as early as the late 20s in healthy adults. “The human brain is always creating new brain cells, but this process slows down with age,” says Voss. “However, with aerobic exercise the rate of the birth of new brain cells can be maintained into old age,” she says.

“With age also comes damage to the brain, such as cell death, stress, and oxidation [think of your brain as rusting],” says Voss. “Aerobic exercise protects the brain from these insults that occur and cumulate with age by increasing the brain’s ability to repair itself.”

In a 6-month Journal of Gerontology study 59 healthy but sedentary adults ages 60 to 79 exercised for 1 hour 3 times a week, performing either an aerobic workout or a series of toning and stretching exercises. Study participants in the cardio group demonstrated growth in their brains’ gray and white matter, areas of the brain that are often reported to show substantial age-related deterioration.

More: Discover the diet and fitness secrets for fighting wrinkles, feeling energized, and looking years younger, naturally.

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