Discover more unexpected good news when people over 50 years old diligently walk

A new study, recently published in the scientific journal International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, has found unexpected benefits of walking 30 minutes a day in people aged 50 and older.

Scientists from the University of London (UK) conducted a comprehensive study to investigate the combined effects of physical activity (walking) and quality sleep on cognitive function.

Lead author Mikaela Bloomberg, a researcher at the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at University College London, and her research team began investigating the impact of daily exercise on brain function, particularly in older adults.

Previous studies have found that regular exercise improves cognitive performance, but only for a short time, within the first 10-20 minutes. Now, the authors wanted to find out how these benefits occur when combined with good sleep – a crucial factor for health.

Walking briskly for 30 minutes helps people over 50 improve their memory for the next 24 hours.

30 minutes of brisk walking helps people over 50 improve their memory.

The study included 76 participants aged 50 to 83. They wore devices to track physical activity and sleep. They also completed daily cognitive tests to assess attention, memory, and processing speed.

According to the medical news website Medical News Today, research shows that 30 minutes of moderate- or vigorous exercise helps people aged 50 and over improve their memory for the next 24 hours.

Mikaela Bloomberg explains: Moderate to vigorous exercise is any activity that increases your heart rate, from brisk walking and dancing to climbing a few flights of stairs.

Researchers explain that exercise works wonders because it increases blood flow to the brain and stimulates neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and dopamine. These substances play a crucial role in many different cognitive functions, helping to improve memory and mental agility.

Notably, the results also showed that 30 minutes of exercise per day, combined with at least 6 hours of quality sleep each night, not only improves cognitive function but also has the potential to enhance brain health, especially in older adults, according to Medical News Today.

Interestingly, the research team found that deep sleep (slow-wave sleep) plays a crucial role in memory benefits, even when sleep duration is controlled. This underscores the importance of a good night's rest, not only for physical recovery but also for mental health.

The study authors said their next step would be to conduct research on people with cognitive impairment. For these individuals, even a small daily increase in cognitive function could make a huge difference.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/phat-hien-them-tin-vui-bat-ngo-khi-nguoi-tu-50-tuoi-sieng-di-bo-185250111204343129.htm