While many view memory loss as an inevitable outcome of aging, incorporating physical exercise and mental stimulation into your daily routine may help keep "senior moments" at bay. A growing body of scientific research suggests that moderate aerobic activity could promote regeneration of brain cells, thereby halting memory loss and improving cognitive function in aging adults.
Aging and Memory
Memory loss and decay of cognitive ability -- ranging from mild cognitive impairment to severe Alzheimer's disease -- are frequently observed in adults over the age of 60. As cells degenerate during the aging process, brain areas involved in the retention and processing of information become depleted and eventually lose normal function. The old theory that brain cells irreversibly decay with age may not be entirely correct, however. Frontier research of the last decade suggests that some brain cells may regenerate with proper nutritional support and exercise.
Aerobic Exercise
Recent studies suggest that cardiovascular exercise may promote regeneration of brain regions directly responsible for memory retention and cognitive function. A January 2011 report published in the "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences" demonstrated that aerobic activity can increase "the size of the anterior hippocampus, leading to improvements in spatial memory" in seniors. Similarly, research published in the "Journal of Gerontology" in September 2006 noted "significant increases in brain volume, in both gray and white matter regions" in adults 60 to 79 years of age who engaged in aerobic exercise.
Streneous Exercise
While moderate activity may help promote healthy brain function, strenuous exercise could have the opposite effect. A study published in "Alzheimer's & Dementia" in July 2009 found that postmenopausal women who engaged in long-term, taxing exercise routines, such as repetitive marathon training, were more likely to experience cognitive decline and memory loss with age.
Exercising the Brain
Stimulating the brain with mental exercises, such as reading, solving puzzles or building crafts, may also strengthen cognitive function and delay memory loss. A Mayo Clinic study presented at the 60th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology in April 2008 in Seattle found that seniors who regularly engaged in such activities were 30 to 50 percent less likely to suffer from mild cognitive impairment, compared to those who did not. Watching television for more than seven hours a day, on the other hand, increased the risk of cognitive impairment by 50 percent.
References
- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences; Exercise Training Increases Size of Hippocampus and Improves Memory; Kirk Erickson et al.; January 2011
- "Alzheimer's & Dementia"; Intensity of Long-Term Physical Activity and Later Life Cognition in Postmenopausal Women; Mary Tierney et al.; July 2009
- Mayo Clinic; Exercise Your Brain to Prevent Memory Loss; Elizabeth Rice; February 2009
- "Journal of Gerontology"; Aerobic Exercise Training Increases Brain Volume in Aging Humans; Stanley Colcombe et al.; September 2006
