Scientists from the University of Maryland have found that older people improve memory and strengthen connections between brain cells after walking. Research published magazine Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease Reports.
The study builds on the authors’ previous work, which showed that walking improves brain function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment.
In the new experiment, 33 participants aged 71 to 85 walked on the treadmill four days a week for 12 weeks. Before and after this exercise regimen, the researchers asked participants to read a short story and then repeat it aloud in as much detail as possible.
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was also applied to the participants so that the researchers could assess changes in the connections within and between the three brain networks that control cognitive function.
After the workout, brain activity increased and became more synchronized. This means that exercise can actually stimulate the brain’s ability to change and adapt to its environment.
“Our results provide further hope that exercise may be useful as a way to help prevent or stabilize people with mild cognitive impairment and possibly delay their transition to Alzheimer’s dementia in the long term,” the scientists write.