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Colleagues,
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The power of
evidence-based living |
University of Pittsburgh researchers followed 299 dementia-free older adults (mean age, 78) for a period of 13 years. They were especially interested in learning about brain volume and cognitive impairment, and its relationship with walking.
The paper, "Physical activity predicts gray matter volume in late adulthood: The Cardiovascular Health Study," appeared in the journal, Neurology, in October, 2010. The key finding: walking 6-9 miles a week may maintain brain volume and prevent cognitive impairment.
Would other forms of exercise matter? Why only walking? The researchers only chose walking because it's the most common form of exercise for older adults, and it doesn't correlate to socioeconomic status like other forms of exercise may, like tennis.
To link to the study abstract, click HERE.
To read more about the benefits of exercise on the brain:
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A few other findings, included:
- Greater gray (brain) matter volume decreased cognitive impairment risk 2-fold. The researchers found that those who walked the most cut their risk of memory problems in half.
- The increased volume in the inferior frontal gyrus, the hippocampal formation, and the supplementary motor area were associated with decreased cognitive impairment.
- Those who walked at least 6-9 miles a week had greater gray matter volume, as measured by MRI, than those who didn't.
- Everyone who walked less than 6 miles a week had similar brain volume loss--again, making 6-9 miles the minimum threshold of physical activity needed to preserve brain volume.
- Walking over 6-9 miles a week did not appear to increase gray matter volume any further.
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Interested in hearing from aging service organizations who are using a holistic, evidence-based assessment tool to improve healthy aging outcomes for older adults living independently?
Attend a free one-hour webinar, An Introduction to COLLAGE, The Art & Science of Healthy Aging, 2011.
When: Tuesday, 2/15, 2-3 PM, Eastern Time (1-2 PM CT, 12-1 PM MT, 11-12 PM, PT)
How: Registration is easy, just click on this LINK. |
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"The results of this study are exciting in that they suggest an association between physical activity, in the form of walking, brain structure, and dementia across the period of a decade. Such results provide yet another reason for the medical community to prescribe physical activity as a means to reduce the probability of age-associated neurodegenerative disease."
--Dr. Arthur Kramer University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign |
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Welcome New COLLAGE
Consortium Members!
Longwood at Oakmont,
a Presbyterian SeniorCare community,
Oakmont, PA
Meadowlark Hills
Manhattan, KS
Neighborhood Interfaith Movement,
Philadelphia, PA
Center Community of Brookline I
Brookline, MA
Moorings Park,
Naples, FL |
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COLLAGE, The Art & Science of Healthy Aging
A membership consortium of aging services organizations, including CCRCs, moderate and subsidized housing, and home care agencies using a holistic, evidence-based assessment tool and person-centered process to advance healthy aging and improve outcomes of older adults living independently.
[email protected]
610.335.1283 |
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