While excercising regularly is good for maintaining heart health, keeping weight down, and toning muscles, it is also said to be exercising more than our bodies. A new report written by ABC News says that senior citizens who exercise regularly may be warding off the potential for Alzhheimers disease. According to the article, “the study, led by Dr. Kirk Erickson of the University of Pittsburgh, followed 120 sedentary or inactive older adults (over age 65) for 12 months as they began one of two programs prescribed by the researchers: either a moderate-intensity walking regimen or a stretching/toning program. Only those in the walking program showed improved memory and an increase in the size of the hippocampus, the part of the brain that controls memory and other intellectual functions.”
Researchers believe this goes on to show that the brain continues to develop and grow no matter how old you are. Two other studies, one done by Japanese researchers and another by Canadians, showcased similar results. In all three studies, the groups that exercised showed improvement in memory and some other brain functions in one year.
*Reposted from Ashworth College’s Nutrition- Fitness-Exercise Group
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