Researchers from University College London have shown that regular physical activity, even as little as once a month, is linked with sharper mental performance later in life. The findings come from a long term study published in a respected medical journal.
The study tracked 1,417 individuals born in the same week of 1946, following their health and lifestyle from childhood into older age. Throughout the years, participants reported their physical activities, which included running, dancing, gardening, walking, and gym workouts.
When each participant reached age 69, they completed cognitive tasks designed to measure attention, processing speed, and problem-solving abilities, such as identifying and crossing out all the letter Bs in a text. The results suggested that any increase in activity could help shield the brain from age related cognitive decline.
Those who exercised at least once a month at any point in life tended to perform better on cognitive tests at 69. This pattern held for individuals who started training in early adulthood and later stopped, as well as for those who remained physically active throughout life.
The earlier a person began engaging in sports or regular movement, the stronger their cognitive benefits tended to be in later years. Yet even someone who spent most of life sedentary but began exercising at 60 showed better cognitive function at 69 than peers who remained inactive. The greatest gains were observed in individuals who averaged more than five workouts per month, and these benefits persisted even if they eventually stopped exercising.
Researchers acknowledge that the precise reasons behind this link are not fully understood. They did note that more physically active individuals were also more likely to have attained higher education and come from relatively well off backgrounds, factors that can independently lower the risk of cognitive problems. This observation suggests that social and educational advantages may partly accompany the activity related benefits seen on brain function.