The most appropriate time to exercise to improve brain function

Results of a long-term study, conducted by researchers at University College London, indicate that regular physical activity during leisure time at any age is associated with better brain function later in life, but maintaining an exercise routine throughout adulthood appears to be best for maintaining The acuity of mind and memory, according to Neuroscience News, citing the journal Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry.

Physical activity

Physical activity is somehow associated with a lower risk of dementia, cognitive decline, and loss of mental acuity later in life. But it is not known whether the timing, frequency, or maintenance of leisure-time physical activity throughout life might be key to cognitive abilities later in life.

specific sensitive periods

The researchers were particularly keen to see whether physical activity might be more beneficial at specific “sensitive” periods throughout life, or across multiple time periods. To try to find out, they examined the strength of associations between a set of cognitive tests at the age of 69 for the 1,417 participants, 53% of whom were women, who reported leisure-time physical activity at ages 36, 43, 53, 60-64, and 69.

Better aging performance

Analysis of the results showed that physical activity at all five ages was associated with higher cognitive performance, verbal memory and processing speed at age 69. Effect sizes were similar across all adult ages, and for those who were moderately physically active, “suggesting that physical activity in Any time in adulthood, even if engagement is less than once a month, is associated with higher cognition.”

The most physically active

But the strongest association between continuous cumulative physical activity and perception of life later was seen for those who were more physically active at all ages.

The researchers say: “The results indicate [الإجمالية] suggests that initiating and maintaining physical activity through adulthood may be more important than timing … or frequency of physical activity over a specific period. But because it is an observational study, it is not possible to pinpoint the cause, and the researchers acknowledge the various limitations of their findings. to her.

Guidelines

The authors conclude, “Our findings support guidelines for recommending participation in physical activity throughout adulthood and provide evidence that encouraging inactive adults to be more active at any time, and encouraging adults who are already active to maintain activity, can to confer benefits for later life cognition.”