Older adults with mild cognitive impairment can improve their situation after just a few months of maintaining a daily walking routine, according to a new study. Insider.
Specifically, in a study published in the journal Alzheimer's Disease Reports (rough translation: Report on Alzheimer's disease), a group of formerly sedentary 70-80 year olds with mild cognitive impairment were enrolled in a 12-week exercise plan.
Maintaining a habit of walking for about 30 minutes a day can help elderly people improve brain function
They began to practice walking at an average speed of about 4,8 km / h per day and regularly 4 times / week. The results of the memory test after 3 months of practice showed that the scores they achieved were much better than when they had not started exercising. Brain scans of the regular exercise group also showed that they had stronger neural connections, indicating better brain function.
Study author Professor J. Carson Smith, a kinesiologist at the University of Maryland (USA), said that to keep your mind sharp as you age, regular exercise seems to be the key.
This is not the first study to confirm the importance of exercise habits for the health of the elderly. A review conducted in 2018 after reviewing nearly 100 studies also showed that older people who exercise about three times a week can stimulate the growth of neurons in the brain. brain, helps improve memory.
