None
Skip to mainAerobic exercise may improve thinking skills in older adults with cognitive impairments in just 6 months.
Aerobic exercise, like walking or cycling for 35 minutes three times a week, may improve thinking skills in older adults with cognitive impairments. This is according to a study published in the online issue of Neurology®.
After six months of exercise, study participants’ scores on thinking tests improved by the equivalent of reversing nearly nine years of aging.
The study found that exercise improved thinking skills called executive function. Executive function is a person’s ability to regulate their own behavior, pay attention, organize and achieve goals. There was no improvement in memory.
The study involved 160 people with an average age of 65 and risk factors for heart disease, such as hypertension. Participants had difficulty concentrating, making decisions, or remembering. The symptoms were not severe enough to be diagnosed with dementia, and were sedentary at the start of the study.
Researchers examined the effects of both exercise and diet. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, which is a low sodium, high fiber diet rich in fruits and vegetables, beans, nuts, low fat dairy products, whole grains, and lean meats was used.
Researchers found that participants who exercised showed significant improvements in thinking skills when compared to those who did not exercise. Those who took part in both the exercise and diet had average scores of nearly 47 points on the overall tests of executive thinking skills, compared to an average score of about 42 points for those with exercise and diet alone and about 38 points for those who just received health education. There was no improvement in participants who only consumed the DASH diet.
For those who exercised and followed the DASH diet, their performance on executive function tests improved by nine years from their scores at the start of the study.
“The results are encouraging in that in just six months, by adding regular exercise to their lives, people who have cognitive impairments without dementia may improve their ability to plan and complete certain cognitive tasks,” said study author James A. Blumenthal, PhD, of Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C.
🕑 24 Apr, 2024 09:17 AM
DoPT forwards 8th Pay Commission demand by IRTSA forwarded to Fin Min
🕑 23 Apr, 2024 10:01 AM
CGDA: Revision of rates of Allowances with DA rates increased to 50%
🕑 22 Apr, 2024 12:59 PM
CBDT: on DoPT order on regularization of Casual Workers
🕑 21 Apr, 2024 09:54 PM
DoPT Consolidated Instructions on SC, ST, OBC, PwD & EWS reservation
🕑 18 Apr, 2024 11:51 AM
Timeline extended for CGHS Beneficiary ID - ABHA ID linking
🕑 18 Apr, 2024 10:22 AM
APAR timelines for Central Civil Services extended to 30th April
🕑 10 Apr, 2024 08:25 AM
DoPT Guidelines on Departmental Promotion Committees
🕑 10 Apr, 2024 08:35 AM
Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan Admission Guidelines 2024-2025
🕑 05 Apr, 2024 01:23 PM
Kendriya Vidyalaya Balvatika Admission Schedule - 2024-25
🕑 02 Apr, 2024 09:25 AM
Kendriya Vidyalaya Admissions Open for 2024-25: Key Dates & Appln Process
🕑 01 Apr, 2024 09:23 AM
Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV) schools where Balvatika is functioning
🕑 14 Mar, 2024 02:07 PM
Govt bans 18 vulgar 18 OTT. See the list here
🕑 08 Mar, 2024 01:49 PM
Pension Scheme Gains Traction Across States, Despite Central Hurdles
🕑 20 Feb, 2024 11:17 PM
CGHS rate for general surgery applicable from February 1, 2024
🕑 08 Feb, 2024 10:19 AM
No loan interst change as RBI maintains repo rate at 6.50% for the 6th time