A team of researchers from the University of Edinburgh conducted a study to explore how regular physical activity affects cognitive function in older adults. The findings, published in the British Medical Journal, indicate meaningful benefits from both golf and walking when incorporated into a routine.
In the experiment, 25 healthy seniors were invited to engage in one of three activities: playing golf with clubs in hand, walking six kilometers in the traditional style, or walking in a Nordic or Scandinavian manner. Participants selected their preferred activity type and completed a workout session accordingly.
The central question was whether exercise correlates with cognitive performance. Cognitive abilities measured included memory, attention, creativity, speaking ability, logical reasoning, and sensory processing. These are areas frequently affected by aging and can decline more sharply in dementia and diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
Results showed that both walking and golf training led to improved cognitive test scores compared with baseline measurements. The gains varied by individual, but overall, participants demonstrated clearer performance post-intervention.
Experts emphasize that many activity forms can support cognitive health. The impact of any exercise appears to depend on how long and how intensely it is performed, underscoring that consistency matters as much as intensity.
Earlier research in the broader field has also linked sleep quality to dementia risk, highlighting the multifaceted nature of cognitive aging and the potential for lifestyle factors to influence outcomes over time.