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Scientists have long linked physical exercise to better brain health. New research shows that the cognitive benefits from certain types of physical activity can persist in older adults for at least five years.
Researchers at the University of Queensland conducted an in-depth study on how maintaining physical activity can help prevent dementia. They examined how much and what types of exercise are necessary to improve cognitive function.
How the Study Was Conducted
The university team found that six months of high-intensity interval training hit a threshold for brain improvement, after which cognitive sharpness was maintained for years.
“Six months of high-intensity interval training is enough to flip the switch,” said Perry Bartlett, a professor of neurobiology and the study’s lead author.
During the study, 151 participants aged 65 to 85 were divided into three groups. For six months, volunteers in the first group did low-intensity exercises (such as stretching), the second group performed moderate-intensity exercises (like brisk walking on a treadmill), and the third group undertook high-intensity exercises (maximum effort on stationary bikes).
Researchers measured brain changes using scans and blood tests. At the end of the exercise program, only participants in the high-intensity group showed immediate signs of improved brain function. The effect persisted over time, as reported by Science Alert.
“We followed them for five years after the program ended, and the exercise effect on cognitive abilities remained, even if they did not continue training,” said Dr. Daniel Blackmore, a co-author of the study.
What the Researchers Concluded
The neurobiology team has much work ahead. While brain scans and biomarkers gave valuable clues about effects on cognition, researchers still need to understand which biological mechanisms are responsible.
Researchers also aim to explore how genetic factors may influence the connection between exercise and brain health in larger populations. Different individuals respond to physical activity in various ways. Therefore, high-intensity exercise may not be a one-size-fits-all solution for cognitive decline.
Still, the findings add evidence that physical activity can help fight dementia, which affects more people worldwide every year. The protective effect on the brain can last for years.
“If we can change the trajectory of aging and maintain cognitive health in people longer through simple interventions like exercise, we could potentially save our society from the enormous personal, economic, and social costs associated with dementia,” Bartlett said. The study’s results were published in the journal Aging and Disease.
