Does Exercise Keep Our Brains Young?

Can't teach an old dog new tricks? In studies on brain activation, people aged 40 or older perform noticeably worse in mental tasks that require focus, problem-solving abilities, decision-making, and other high-level thinking, all of which take place largely in the brain's prefrontal cortex. The difference is that young people mostly use the prefrontal cortex to solve problems, whereas older folks need to use a lot more of their brains at once to perform the same tasks. It's considered a normal part of the mental decline of aging, but a recent Japanese study has shown that it's not always inevitable. It looked at men aged between 64 and 75 with no signs of dementia or cognitive decline, and it found that those with the highest level of aerobic fitness were able to focus and make decisions using less of their brain, just like a young person. The upshot? The researchers believe that daily walking or mild jogging is enough to produce noticeable effects.

Someone forward you this email? No Sweat! Sign up here to get your own If you're having trouble viewing this email, click here Follow Us Does Exercise Keep Our Brains Young? Can’t teach an old dog new tricks?  In studies on brain activation, people aged 40 or older perform noticeably worse in mental tasks that require focus, problem-solving abilities, decision-making, and other high-level thinking, all of which take place largely in the brain's prefrontal cortex. The difference is that young people mostly use the prefrontal cortex to solve problems, whereas older folks need to use a lot more of their brains at once to perform the same tasks. It’s considered a normal part of the mental decline of aging, but a recent Japanese study has shown that it’s not always inevitable. It looked at men aged between 64 and 75 with no signs of dementia or cognitive decline, and it found that those with the highest level of aerobic fitness were able to focus and make decisions using less of their brain, just like a young person.  The upshot? The researchers believe that daily walking or mild jogging is enough to produce noticeable effects.  Nicholas English Content Manager of About.com Health But Can Exercise Reverse Alzheimer's Disease? READ NOW 10 Ways to Be a Little Nicer to Your Brain    READ NOW How to Walk for Weight Loss    READ NOW The Ultimate Guide to a Better Thinking Brain READ NOW Trending Now • The Right Way to Exercise With Type 2 Diabetes • Which Chocolate Products Are Heart Healthy? • Average ACA Penalty in 2016 Will Be Nearly 5 Times What It Was in 2014 • How to Cut Back on Drinking and Still Have a Social Life • Want to Eat Less Sugar, But Can't? • 5 Tips for Surviving the Holiday Buffet • This Is What Medicare Part B Will Cost You In 2016 Advertisement About Health  |  Follow Us You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About Health newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor, New York, NY, 10036 © 2015 About.com - All rights reserved. Privacy Policy.