Will you move more when you're older = better memory?

According to American Academy of Neurologyolder people who are more active can maintain their thinking skills and improve their memory.

It is said that memory enhancement occurs with larger daily movements. Whether it is a daily exercise or even a simple routine physical activity such as domestic work, the movement can further preserve the memory and thinking abilities of the day. an individual, even if he has brain damage or biomarkers related to dementia.

Measure the memory enhancement

Aron S. Buchman, MD, of the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago and a member of the American Academy of Neurology, explains, "Our research team measured the levels of physical activity of participants in the clinic. study two years before death, then has their brain tissue after death, and found that moving more could have a protective effect on the brain. "

"People who moved more had better thinking and memory skills than those who did not move much at all. We found that movement could constitute a reserve to help maintain thinking and memory skills when there were signs of dementia in the brain. "

The study involved 454 elderly people; 191 had dementia and 263 did not have dementia. All participants underwent physical examinations as well as thought and memory tests each year for 20 years. Participants agreed to donate their brains for research upon their death. The average age at death was 91 years old.

To monitor physical activity, the researchers provided each participant with an activity monitor called an accelerometer. The wrist device was monitoring physical activity 24 hours a day, whether it was small movements such as walking around the house or more vigorous movements like exercises.

After death, the researchers examined each participant's brain tissue for lesions and biomarkers of dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

The researchers found that higher levels of daily movement were related to better thinking and improved memory. The study also found that people with better motor skills also had better thinking and memory skills.

For each increase in the physical activity of a standard deviation, participants were 31% less likely to develop dementia. For each increase in motility of a standard deviation, participants were 55% less likely to develop dementia.

Limitations of the study

"Exercise is an inexpensive way to improve health, and our study shows that it can have a protective effect on the brain," adds Buchman.

"But it's important to note that our study does not show cause and effect. It is also possible that when people lose memory and thinking skills, they reduce their physical activity. More studies are needed to determine if moving more is really beneficial for the brain. "

The study had a limitation: it did not have data indicating the level of physical activity of participants during their lifetime, but at some point later in life. Therefore, it is unclear whether early physical activity might have played a role in improving memory. In addition, the study does not include the type of physical activity, so it is difficult to determine whether a given physical activity may be more effective than another.