Tsukuba, Japan — Exercise has long been associated with a clearer mind, especially among older people. But now, new research published in Japan shows how older people can easily reap the cognitive rewards of staying active. Scientists at the University of Tsukuba found that just three months of light exercise three times a week improved people’s cognition and brain efficiency.
Several previous studies have focused on long-term (6–12 months) moderate- to high-intensity aerobic exercise programs and their effects on executive function (controlled by the prefrontal cortex of the brain). It’s here. Of course, most of us know how difficult it is to maintain an exercise routine for such a long time.
Now, the researchers build on previous research already conducted at the University of Tsukuba and the University of California, Irvine, in which they found that even short sessions of light exercise, such as walking or yoga, increased brain activity. was found to be able to stimulate and produce temporary improvement. in cognitive performance. However, until this latest study, the long-term effects of prolonged mild aerobic exercise on human brain function, and the underlying mechanisms involved, were unknown.
Researchers evaluated a group of healthy middle-aged and older adults (aged 55 to 78 years) randomly divided into two groups. One group did low-intensity cycling three times a week for three months (exercise group), and the other simply continued. Normal daily life (control group). The study authors used the Stroop test to assess each person’s executive function and pre- and post-intervention functional near-infrared spectroscopy to assess prefrontal cortex activity during the task.
Subsequent findings We found that the exercise cohort indeed showed significant improvement in executive function compared to the control group. Importantly, when the data were analyzed by age, the benefits of light-intensity exercise were particularly pronounced in the older age group (ages 68-78).
The underlying brain mechanism behind this improvement was characterized by increased efficient activation of the prefrontal cortex. In other words, executive function was high, but the corresponding brain activation was relatively low. These findings suggest that just three months of light exercise is enough to strengthen functional networks in the brain, allowing the prefrontal cortex to be utilized more efficiently during the Stroop test, the study authors explained. are doing.
In conclusion, the study authors say this potentially groundbreaking finding highlights how just a few months of exercise can have a positive impact on the brain. Strengthens the prefrontal cortex and enhances cognitive function in the elderly. This study will contribute to the development of new exercise programs and strategies to improve executive function, designed with older adults with low physical fitness levels and limited motivation to exercise in mind.
of study Published in magazines Gero science.
