Exercise May Help Stave Off Memory Decline
Research from the University of California, San Diego and Wake Forest University suggests that both low and moderate- to-high intensity exercise can help slow cognitive decline in older adults with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) — a condition involving memory issues that significantly increases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. The investigators randomly assigned nearly 300 sedentary older adults with aMCI to either moderate-to-high intensity aerobic exercise or low-intensity stretching, balance, and range-of-motion exercises. The participants exercised three to four times per week under the guidance of trainers and had regular assessments of cognitive function and brain volume.
After 12 months, cognitive function remained stable in both exercise groups. Both groups also experienced less decline and brain volume loss compared to those who didn’t exercise at all. This suggests that even low-intensity exercise may be a safe, effective, and accessible way to support brain health in seniors at risk for memory loss.
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