Going for a jog, lifting weights at the gym, even a walk around the neighbourhood—it can often be a sweat-inducing challenge after a busy day. Sinking into a comfy couch, snack food in hand, may seem like a much more desirable option. Yet the evidence is clear—exercising the body exercises the mind. The positive correlation between physical activity and a healthy brain highlights that shifting from a sedentary to a more active mode can increase happiness, reduce stress and improve overall well-being. The preventative benefits of physical activity as an enjoyable and inexpensive way of warding off illnesses is well-known. However, a recent study presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference shows how it also helps those who already have, or are on the path to getting, a disease such as Alzheimer’s.
The Vancouver-based study examined the effects of physical exercise on the cognitive functioning of participants with mild vascular cognitive impairment, known as mini or “silent strokes.” Silent strokes are “silent” because they are unaccompanied by obvious visible effects, such as facial drooping, but they do lead to an increased risk of severe strokes and vascular dementia, where blood flow to the brain is restricted.
The study’s participants were split into two groups: those who did moderate-intensity walking for 60 minutes 3 times a week, and those who did not. After 6 months, the “walkers” displayed improved cognitive functions, such as memory and attention, and their brains also showed signs of increased efficiency. Perhaps most importantly, the results illustrated how exercise can minimize the development of silent strokes and dementia, highlighting the vital brain boosting effects of physical activity.
Exercise may not reverse dementia, but it can halt its progression—a finding which has a tremendously positive impact on the quality of life of those with the illness or at risk of developing it. Breaking into a sweat is a mutually beneficial prospect for both body and mind. So whether it’s running, swimming, cycling, skiing, lifting, stretching, jumping, walking, get moving and give your brain a workout in the process!
