U.S. NEWS – A groundbreaking study by University College London (UCL) researchers reveals that the cognitive benefits of moderate to vigorous exercise extend beyond the immediate aftermath, enhancing memory performance for up to 24 hours in adults aged 50 to 83. The research also highlights the crucial role of quality sleep, particularly deep, slow-wave sleep, in amplifying these effects.
Contrary to the findings, prolonged periods of inactivity were associated with poorer working memory the following day. These insights underscore the meaning of daily physical activity and adequate sleep for maintaining cognitive health, especially in older adults.
Key Takeaways:
- Extended Cognitive Boost: Moderate to vigorous exercise improves memory for up to 24 hours.
- Sleep Synergy: Deep sleep enhances the memory benefits of exercise.
- Sedentary Impact: Increased sedentary behavior negatively affects next-day working memory.
The study, published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, involved 76 men and women aged 50 to 83 who wore activity trackers for eight days and completed cognitive tests daily. The results showed that participants who engaged in more moderate to vigorous physical activity than usual on a given day performed better in memory tests the following day.
Less time spent sitting and six hours or more of sleep were also linked to improved scores in memory tests the next day. More deep (slow-wave) sleep was found to contribute to memory function, accounting for a small portion of the link between exercise and better next-day memory.
Conversely, more time spent being sedentary than usual was linked to worse working memory the next day. Credit: Neuroscience News
Lead author Dr. Mikaela Bloomberg of UCL Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care commented, “Our findings suggest that the short-term memory benefits of physical activity may last longer than previously thought, possibly extending to the next day instead of just the few hours after exercise. Getting more sleep, particularly deep sleep, seems to add to this memory betterment.”
Dr. Bloomberg added, “Moderate or vigorous activity means anything that gets your heart rate up – this could be brisk walking, dancing, or walking up a few flights of stairs.It doesn’t have to be structured exercise. This was a small study and so it needs to be replicated with a larger sample of participants before we can be certain about the results.”
The study’s implications for U.S. readers highlight the importance of incorporating physical activity and quality sleep into daily routines to support cognitive health, particularly as the population ages. The findings encourage a more active lifestyle and emphasize the benefits of regular exercise and sufficient sleep for maintaining mental acuity.
Discover the fascinating link between exercise and cognitive function, as a recent study reveals that the benefits of physical activity extend beyond the immediate post-workout period. The research, conducted by a team from University College London (UCL), suggests that the positive effects on the brain can last for up to 24 hours after a workout, enhancing mood and cognitive performance.
Exercise triggers a series of neurochemical changes, including the release of neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and dopamine, which play a crucial role in cognitive functions. These changes can last for several hours, but the study highlights that the impact of exercise on the brain is more profound and long-lasting than previously thought.
Co-author Professor Andrew Steptoe,from the UCL Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care,explains,”Maintaining cognitive function is essential for older adults,as it affects their quality of life,well-being,and independence. Our study provides evidence that the immediate cognitive benefits of exercise may last longer than we initially believed.Moreover, good sleep quality independently contributes to cognitive performance.”
However, the researchers caution that the study does not establish a direct correlation between short-term cognitive boosts and long-term cognitive health. While there is ample evidence suggesting that physical activity may slow cognitive decline and reduce dementia risk, the relationship remains a topic of debate.
The study involved analyzing data from wrist-worn activity trackers to determine the amount of time participants spent in sedentary, light physical, and moderate or vigorous physical activities. The researchers also quantified sleep duration and the time spent in lighter (REM) sleep and deeper, slow-wave sleep.
Adjusting for various factors that could potentially skew the results, the team found that more moderate or vigorous physical activity was associated with better working memory and episodic memory the following day. Increased sleep duration was linked to improved episodic and working memory, as well as psychomotor speed. Conversely,more sedentary time than usual was associated with worse working memory the next day.
The study’s design, which tracked participants in their normal lives rather than in a lab setting, is among the first to evaluate next-day cognitive performance using a “micro-longitudinal” approach. however, the researchers acknowledge that the results may not be applicable to individuals with neurocognitive disorders, as the study participants were cognitively healthy.
The research was funded by the UK’s Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and involved collaboration between UCL’s Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care,division of Surgery & Interventional Science,and the University of Oxford.
Slow-wave sleep,characterized by its deep,restorative nature,is crucial for cognitive function. During this stage of sleep, heart rate slows, and blood pressure decreases, promoting rest and recovery.
For more data on this exercise and memory research, visit UCL. The image used in this article is credited to Neuroscience News.
Discover the fascinating link between physical activity, sleep, and cognitive performance in older adults, as revealed in a groundbreaking study published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. The research, titled “Associations of Accelerometer-Measured Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, and Sleep with Next-day Cognitive Performance in Older Adults: A Micro-Longitudinal Study,” sheds light on how daily habits can impact brain function.
in this micro-longitudinal study,researchers Mikaela Bloomberg and her team aimed to explore the short-term cognitive benefits of physical activity and the role of sleep in older adults. The study’s findings could have significant implications for promoting brain health and preventing cognitive decline.
Background
Previous research has suggested that physical activity can provide cognitive benefits within minutes to hours after exercise. However, the persistence of these benefits over the following day and the influence of sleep on this process have remained unclear. The study by Bloomberg et al. aimed to fill this knowledge gap by examining the associations between physical activity, sedentary behavior, sleep, and next-day cognitive performance in older adults.
Methods
The study involved 76 British adults aged 50 to 83 years, who wore accelerometers for eight days and completed daily cognitive tests. The tests assessed attention, memory, psychomotor speed, executive function, and processing speed. The researchers used a novel polysomnography-validated machine learning algorithm to derive sleep stages from the accelerometer data.
Linear mixed models were employed to analyze the associations between physical activity, sleep, and next-day cognitive performance, taking into account habitual physical activity and sleep patterns, and also other temporal and contextual factors.
Results
The study found that an additional 30 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) on the previous day was associated with higher episodic memory and working memory scores. Conversely,each 30-minute increase in sedentary behavior was linked to lower working memory scores. These results were not substantially altered by adjusting for sleep characteristics on the previous night.
independent of MVPA, sleep duration of at least six hours and more time spent in slow wave sleep (SWS) were associated with higher cognitive performance scores. Specifically, longer sleep duration was linked to faster psychomotor speed, while increased SWS was associated with higher episodic memory scores.Additionally, each 30-minute increase in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep was associated with higher attention scores.
Conclusions
The study’s findings suggest that the memory benefits of MVPA may persist for 24 hours, and longer sleep duration, particularly more time spent in SWS, could independently contribute to these benefits. These results highlight the importance of physical activity and sleep in maintaining cognitive health in older adults.
As the U.S.population ages,understanding the factors that contribute to cognitive health becomes increasingly crucial. The study by Bloomberg et al. provides valuable insights into how daily habits,such as physical activity and sleep,can impact cognitive performance in older adults. By promoting healthy lifestyle choices, we can definitely help preserve brain function and potentially prevent cognitive decline.
S findings offer compelling evidence that engaging in moderate to vigorous physical activity not only enhances physical health but also provides important cognitive benefits that extend beyond the immediate aftermath of exercise. notably, these effects can last up to 24 hours after an active day, suggesting that even brief periods of elevated physical activity can promote mental sharpness and memory retention.
The study involved a cohort of 76 individuals aged 50 to 83, who were monitored using activity trackers over an eight-day period while participating in daily cognitive testing. Results indicated that participants who exercised more diligently the previous day demonstrated notably improved performance on memory assessments the following day. Additionally, those who engaged in less sedentary behavior and achieved at least six hours of sleep, notably with an emphasis on deep sleep, tended to experience better cognitive outcomes.
Dr. Mikaela Bloomberg emphasized that these findings highlight the potential for physical activity to positively influence memory retention and cognitive performance, challenging previous assumptions that such benefits are limited to a few hours post-exercise. The implications are particularly relevant for older adults, who often experience cognitive decline.
Professor Andrew steptoe reiterated the importance of both physical activity and sleep,noting their continuing relevance to cognitive function and overall quality of life,independence,and well-being in aging populations. The study encourages the integration of daily physical activity and adequate sleep into lifestyle routines to bolster cognitive health.
this research reinforces the notion that both exercise and sleep are critical components of cognitive well-being, urging individuals—especially older adults—to prioritize these aspects in their daily lives. The study paves the way for future research to further explore the long-term effects of physical activity on cognitive health across various populations. For more information and insights into the study, the publication can be found in the **International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity**.
