Surprising rewards for older adults who walk briskly for just 5 minutes

Scientists from the University of South Australia, in collaboration with the AdventHealth Research Institute (USA), analyzed data from 585 older adults, specifically between the ages of 65 and 80.

The authors looked at participants' sleep duration, light physical activity, and moderate to vigorous physical activity each day and examined their effects on brain health.

Moderate to vigorous exercise helps older adults improve cognitive abilities

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Exercise-related cognitive abilities in older adults

Results found that moderate to vigorous exercise was strongly associated with improved cognitive abilities in older adults, including faster processing speed, improved working memory, and better executive function.

Specifically, exercises like brisk walking, water aerobics, or light jogging, any activity that increases your heart rate, can significantly improve brain health. And the more you do it, the better.

Notably, those who reaped the greatest benefits were those who went from no exercise (moderate to vigorous) to brisk walking for just five minutes a day. This highlights the powerful impact that even short bouts of brisk walking have on the brain, according to science news site Scitech Daily.

Study author Dr Maddison Mellow, from the University of South Australia, said the research showed that small changes in everyday activities could have a big impact on brain health.

The secret to boosting brain health is that there are only 24 hours in a day, so if you've slept for eight hours, then in the remaining 16 hours, prioritize physical activity, especially exercises that increase your heart rate, such as brisk walking.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/phan-thuong-dang-ngac-nhien-khi-nguoi-lon-tuoi-di-bo-nhanh-chi-5-phut-185250520160538703.htm