A recent study states that physical exercise is better than mental activities to keep the brain healthy and prevent it from shrinking at old age.
Physical exercise done regularly by people above 40 keeps the brain healthy and prevents it from shrinking along with keeps away signs of aging like dementia, say experts from Edinburgh University.
"There is growing evidence of the beneficial effect of physical activity on brain structure," said study author Dr. Alan Gow, Ph.D, with the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. "Though this needs to be confirmed in large scale trials, exercising more would certainly be a worthwhile endeavor."
"People in their seventies who participated in more physical exercise, including walking several times a week, had less brain shrinkage and other signs of aging in the brain than those who were less physically active," said lead author Alan J. Gow of the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. "On the other hand, our study showed no real benefit to participating in mentally and socially stimulating activities on brain size, as seen on MRI scans, over the three-year time frame."
Dr. Simon Ridley, head of research at Alzheimer's Research UK, said: "This study links physical exercise to fewer signs of ageing in the brain, suggesting that it may be a way of protecting our cognitive health.
"While we can't say that exercise is the causal factor in this study, we do know that exercise in middle age can lower the risk of dementia later in life."
"It will be important to follow these volunteers to see whether these structural features are associated with greater cognitive decline over the coming years. More research is also needed to tease out how physical activity might be having a beneficial effect."
Professor James Goodwin, head of research at Age UK, the charity that provided the funding for the research, said: "This research re-emphasizes that it really is never too late to benefit from exercise, so whether it's a brisk walk to the shops, gardening or competing in a fun run it is crucial that, those of us who can, get active as we grow older."
