Latest research and expert opinions
Exercise greatly benefits brain health, improving cognition, mood and reducing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases. Several new studies have demonstrated the profound impact of exercise on various biological systems, further explaining its ability to enhance health and fight disease. In this Special Feature, we explore the most recent research on how exercise can protect brain health as we age.
Exercise is linked to increased muscle strength, improved heart health, lower blood sugar and numerous other health benefits.
Activities such as running on a treadmill, biking up a steep hill, lifting weights or taking a brisk lunchtime walk offer a wide range of advantages that go beyond enhancing physical appearance or stamina.
Evidence from studies suggests that regular physical activity could boost mood, alleviate stress, and sharpen cognitive function, underscoring the deep connection between body and mind.
However, different people can respond quite differently to various forms of exercise, such as aerobic workouts or strength training.
While it is well-known that regular exercise is crucial for a healthy lifestyle, some older research has suggested that intense exercise might have negative effects.
More recent research, however, showed that elite athletes experienced slightly extended life expectancies over the decades.
Exercise significantly enhances brain health by improving cognition, mood and by reducing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases through promoting neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity.
What does the latest evidence and expert opinion have to say about the ways in which regular physical activity helps maintain brain, as well as general, health as we age?
In a new collaborative effort led by Stanford Medicine, researchers have explored the underlying mechanisms through which exercise promotes overall health, particularly brain health.
The researchers identified significant connections between exercise and molecules and genes that are already known to be involved in numerous human diseases and tissue recovery.
The Nature study examined the effects of 8 weeks of endurance training on various biological systems, including gene expression (the transcriptome), proteins (the proteome), fats (the lipidome), metabolites (the metabolome), DNA chemical tags (the epigenome) and the immune system.
These findings suggest that endurance training may help improve muscular function in diabetes, as well as boost liver health.
Vukovic noted that “there are ongoing studies to optimise exercise programs for elderly; however, Pilates is a good starting point for those who are looking to engage their muscles.”
Glatt agreed, adding that “aerobic exercises like cardiovascular exercise, strength training, and balance exercises are particularly beneficial to brain health, in both shared and unique ways.”
“Activities combining physical and cognitive challenges, like dance or tai chi, can be especially effective for certain aspects of brain health,” Glatt said.
Nevertheless, he cautioned that: “While exercise benefits brain health, individual variability due to genetics and baseline health can affect outcomes. Further research is needed to determine the long-term sustainability and optimal exercise types and intensities for different populations.”
Reference & Credit to: Medical News Today.
