Memory the Benefits of Daily Physical Activity again Proven

Memory the Benefits of Daily Physical Activity Researchers have found that the beneficial effects of physical exercise on the memory appear from the first minutes and even by practicing soft activities such as walking. Their findings could be a simple and effective way to slow down or prevent cognitive decline in the elderly.

Physical exercise helps keep your body in shape and prevent certain diseases. But also to preserve his memory and even consolidate, as recalled by a study conducted by researchers at the University of California.
They claim that even "light" sport sessions related to practices such as walking, yoga or tai chi and short periods of time can increase the connection between the parts of the brain responsible for training and storing the memory. Provided, however, that this good habit is daily, as recommended by health authorities including the World Health Organization (WHO).

The researchers used 36 healthy young adults and gave them a memory and medical examination, magnetic resonance imaging, before and after a 10-minute physical exercise period. They then discovered that this delay was sufficient to cause a positive cognitive impact. Looking at brain images after physical exercise, they found better communication between the hippocampus, an important area for memory storage, and the cortical brain regions involved in memory processing. The researchers also noted an improvement in mood after this workout.

Immediate beneficial effects

"The hippocampus is essential to creating new memories. It's one of the first areas of the brain to deteriorate as we get older, and much more seriously in Alzheimer's disease. Explains one of the authors of the study, Professor Michael Yassa. "Improving the function of the hippocampus is very promising for a good day-to-day memory. Scientists also realized that the greater the "connection" between these brain regions, the more beneficial the effects. Previous studies have already shown that physical activity can generate new brain cells in regions of memory.

But these new works have the particularity of demonstrating a more immediate impact, namely a reinforced communication between the parts of the brain focused on memory. "We do not rule out the possibility of new cells being born, but it's a process that takes a little longer to unfold. What we observed was that these 10-minute exercise periods yielded results immediately afterwards. Adds Prof. Michael Yassa. The researchers encourage people to follow the famous recommendation of 30 minutes of physical activity per day even light as walking, controlling for example the number of steps.

A benefit to be deepened for the elderly

The scientific team now wants to continue this work, this time focusing on older people with increased risk of mental retardation and interventions over a longer period. They want to know if daily, brief, light physical exercise for weeks or even months can have a positive impact on the structure and function of their brains. "Clearly, it is extremely helpful to understand which exercise prescription is best for seniors, so that we can make recommendations to avoid cognitive decline. Concludes Professor Michael Yassa.

According to Health Insurance, regular physical activity significantly reduces the risk of developing certain diseases such as cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes. The same goes for mental health, cognitive disorders and neurological diseases. "Physical activity reduces the risk of dementia, insomnia, anxiety and depressive disorders and increases impaired cognitive function in certain diseases: attention deficit disorder, Parkinson's disease, dementia, stroke. "She says. In addition to physical activity, good sleep and a balanced diet are essential for memory consolidation.