A new study from first author Audrey M. Collins of the AdventHealth Research Institute in Florida has revealed some promising results. Meanwhile, older adults who engage in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) reap important cognitive rewards. Science concluded that as little as five minutes of this activity improves processing speed in seniors. It builds their working memory and executive function.
The analysis examined the association between objectively measured time spent in daily activities over a 24-hour period and cognitive performance of participants. Collins and her colleagues subsequently found participating in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) enhances processing speed. This advancement demonstrates the speed at which the human brain can absorb and respond to stimuli. Studies have found that increasing levels of physical activity enhance episodic and working memory. It has been shown to enhance aspects of executive function, such as planning and the ability to maintain focus.
Modest gains of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity are beneficial.
Collins added, stressing the importance of short bursts of physical activity to improve cognitive functioning.
These findings couldn’t come at a more important time. The authors argue that MVPA may be key in reducing the risk of cognitive decline and improving overall cognitive function among older adults. This is important because the older adult population is at increased risk of developing conditions affecting cognitive health.
Leading dementia expert, Gary Small, supports these findings. He does an excellent job summing up what happens by aerobic exercise increasing brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is essential to brain cell communication. “The key is to exert oneself enough to push the heart and lungs to pump oxygen and nutrients to the brain,” he remarked.
The research suggests that reallocating time to engage in MVPA could enhance cognitive function, regardless of the other lifestyle behaviors from which that time is taken. Collins noted that this low-tech approach may be especially useful for older adults with physical constraints like arthritis.
In my experience, many older adults have physical limitations like arthritis that prevent them from being able to exercise vigorously. An anonymous field expert recommends taking a step back to the “why” of exercise for those who experience these limitations. While such an examination would be costly and time consuming, it would deliver significant benefits.
Collins’ research further emphasizes a need for available prevention alternatives for individuals with restricted mobility. “Our results suggest that hypothetically reallocating time to moderate-to-vigorous physical activity may be beneficial for cognitive function,” she explained.
This study only reports cross-sectional findings. We need more longitudinal and experimental research to better understand the magnitude by which activities of daily living potentially mediate cognitive health outcomes in late adulthood. Collins is planning to continue to explore these types of relationships and create 24-hour recommendations focusing on public health and dementia reduction.
This is an important finding. We can conclude that different ways in which time is spent across the 24-hr day can play a role in cognitive performance in later life, and this link may vary across domains. That’s what really gummed up the works, Collins acknowledged.
Leave a Reply