Walking Benefits For Our Brains

Walking with a breath of fresh air not only can reduce the risk of disease, but also may prevent brain shrinkage. The researchers found that walking can increase the size of the hippocampus of the brain which is the first target is destroyed by Alzheimer's disease.

Walking Benefits For Our Brains

In this study, the researchers asked 120 men and women aged between 55 to 80 years to run for 40 minutes three times a week. Normally, the brain shrinks with age, but the scan results after one year showed that the participants' brain volume actually increased by two percent.



Researchers explained that brain growth during the two years is a big development. Krik Erickson lead researcher from the University of Pittsburgh said, a person does not need to perform strenuous physical activity to obtain this good effect. Within walking distance, you can restore the body ages several years younger.

Erickson emphasized that exercise is not the key to fighting dementia, but it is the best way to make the mind stay sharp. "But most people are still very actively moving and difficult to get them up and moving," he said.

According to him, the brain can still be modified in old age, although the brain shrinkage is a condition that can not be compromised, but the speed can be reduced. Physical activity is the most effective approach in slowing cognitive decline in old age.

"Combining physical activity with brain exercise, like putting together a puzzle can also benefit," he advised.

Elizabeth Stine-Morrow, a professor of psychology at the University of Illinois emphasize the importance for brain exercise and physical activity from a young age. "The sooner you get started, the better the result. Yet it's never too late to start doing it," he said.

Meanwhile, Erickson encourages the importance of choosing the most preferred physical activity so that continuity is easier to do. "Make sure you love the activity you are doing," he concluded.

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