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In recent years a flood of research is showing that keeping healthy and active is a key factor in helping the brain age well. But if you think that it takes running a marathon or spending hours a day in the gym to get these benefits, you may be pleasantly surprised! Exercising for a Healthy Brain Is Easier than You Think
In a recent study, Shannon Hallaway, Ph.D., a researcher at Rush University School of Nursing, found that higher levels of physical activity done as a part of normal life is associated with more gray matter in the brain. This randomized control group of 262 participants with a mean age of 81 participated in activities and common daily undertakings such as gardening, walking pets and doing general housework. As volume of gray matter in the brain decreases with aging, anything that provides an increase in a valuable tool – particularly when dealing with Alzheimer’s and other diseases that cause large decreases in brain mass.
While we can’t be sure that it will hold true for those who are younger, it still holds promise that the specific physical activity is less important for cognitive health than the fact that physical activities are done. So, let’s all get moving!
In a recent study, Shannon Hallaway, Ph.D., a researcher at Rush University School of Nursing, found that higher levels of physical activity done as a part of normal life is associated with more gray matter in the brain. This randomized control group of 262 participants with a mean age of 81 participated in activities and common daily undertakings such as gardening, walking pets and doing general housework. As volume of gray matter in the brain decreases with aging, anything that provides an increase in a valuable tool – particularly when dealing with Alzheimer’s and other diseases that cause large decreases in brain mass.
While we can’t be sure that it will hold true for those who are younger, it still holds promise that the specific physical activity is less important for cognitive health than the fact that physical activities are done. So, let’s all get moving!
For more information on studies related to brain health, click here!
Exercising for a Healthy Brain Is Easier than You Think Exercising for a Healthy Brain Is Easier than You Think Exercising for a Healthy Brain Is Easier than You Think Exercising for a Healthy Brain Is Easier than You Think Exercising for a Healthy Brain Is Easier than You Think Exercising for a Healthy Brain Is Easier than You Think Exercising for a Healthy Brain Is Easier than You Think Exercising for a Healthy Brain Is Easier than You Think
