The positives of physical exercise are no secret. But new research published in the journal Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience may make you think again about skipping the gym.
A team from the University of Maryland School of Public Health used MR to study cerebral blood flow in very healthy and athletic older adults (between 50 and 85 years old). Images were taken before before and after a 10-day period during which they did not exercise.
Blood flow decreased noticeably in certain areas of the brain, including the hippocampus, which is an essential area for memory and learning.
“In rodents, the hippocampus responds to exercise training by increasing the growth of new blood vessels and new neurons," the authors wrote. "[I]n older people, exercise can help protect the hippocampus from shrinking. [I]t is significant that people who stopped exercising for only 10 days showed a decrease in blood flow in brain regions that are important for maintaining brain health.”
Click the link below to see an extended summary of the new research:
Nicholas joined TriMed in 2016 as the managing editor of the Chicago office. After receiving his master’s from Roosevelt University, he worked in various writing/editing roles for magazines ranging in topic from billiards to metallurgy. Currently on Chicago’s north side, Nicholas keeps busy by running, reading and talking to his two cats.