There are numerous studies (existing data for over 40-50 years) done with the purpose to prove or disprove the effects of activity and exercise on dementia and Alzheimer disease. The conclusions found by researchers is that there is a direct, measurable and significant positive impact of exercise preventing or slowing down aging and, moreover, allow seniors to keep their cognitive abilities to a far higher extent than those elderly who turn a blind eye on physical activity.
Just 30 Minutes Of Activity Significantly Reduces Alzheimer
For example in a range of studies which focused on seniors over the age of 65, both male and female, it was found that even very limited exercise or activity of just half an hour daily had a significant impact. The chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease were noticeably reduced even among those seniors who were already predisposed to Alzheimer’s genetically.
Senior Activities and the Brain
Groups of studies which look into the impact of exercise and activities on the brain discovered that fitness and being active for seniors resulted in:
- Enhanced cognition
- More effective brain performance
- Maintaining of the brain mass or volume
Elderly Remaining Active after Retirement
Then there are studies which investigated seniors who stopped (more or less) their active life after retirement and those who continued to work and keep themselves physically active and mentally operational. The purpose of these studies was to see if there is a difference between these two groups of seniors concerning Alzheimer and dementia and mental health in general. It was found that those seniors who remained active after retirement:
- Showed sustained levels of cerebral blood flow
- Superior brain functioning
- Much higher scores on cognition tests
than those elderly who became more sedentary.
Other Positive Impacts of Exercise & Activities for Seniors
Those seniors who exercise and are physically active show the following strengths versus their sedentary counterparts:
- Maintain the ability of the brain to adapt, i.e. if one part is injured than other parts can to some extent take over the responsibilities of the damaged part.
- Increased retention of spatial abilities such as being able to remember locations, maps, areas.
- Increased neurological and neurochemical levels which are then able to offset the effects of pathological diseases (Heart disease, cancer, arthritis)
- Lower risks of all age related health and mental problems
Final words on
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