High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) Can Prevent Cognitive Decline

High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) can do more than just keep you fit and strong; it can also help prevent age-related cognitive diseases, such as dementia.

A study from the University of Queensland found that exercise at high intensity intervals could be more effective than continuous exercise to increase cerebral blood flow in the elderly.

Dr. Tom Bailey, a researcher at the Center for Exercise, Physical Activity and Health Research at UQ's Faculty of Nutritional Sciences and Nutrition, said that while high-interval training intensity was popular for improving cardiovascular health, its known.

"As you get older, blood flow to the brain and arterial function decreases," said Dr. Bailey.

"These factors have been linked to a risk of cognitive decline and cardiovascular events, such as stroke.

"It is essential to find ways to increase cerebral blood flow and brain function in the elderly."

This study, conducted in collaboration with Associate Professor Christopher Askew of the University of Sunshine Coast and Neuroscientists of the German University of Sport Cologne, was the first of its kind to compare cerebral blood flow at home. young and old men, during continuous or interval exercises.

Interval exercise is characterized by short periods of intense activity separated by periods of rest.

"One of the key lessons learned from the study was that exercise and rest period were both important for increasing cerebral blood flow in the elderly," Dr. Bailey said.

"This study shows that interval-based exercise was as effective as continuous exercise for increasing cerebral blood flow in older adults during periods of physical activity, and more effective that continued exercise when we measured the increase in overall blood flow both during exercise and the rest periods.

"It is thought that the benefits of exercise on brain function are due to increased blood flow and shear stress, the frictional force of the blood along the artery wall, which is produced during exercise.

"This study aimed to identify the type or format of exercise that causes the greatest increases in cerebral blood flow, so that we can help optimize exercise programs to improve brain function."

Although this study focuses on short-term increases in cerebral blood flow, Dr. Bailey explained that the next step was to study the benefits of interval exercises on long-term brain health.

The research is published in Medicine and science in sport and exercise.