Regular exercise improves memory as we age, even when picked up in our 50s and 60s, research shows — as trials whether maintaining fitness can delay dementia
- UCL study found once-monthly exercise can protect memory in 30-year study
- The 1,400-person study will monitor participants to see if dementia is delaying
Research shows that jogging just once a month is enough to protect your memory later in life — even for couch potatoes who pick it up in their 50s and 60s.
Researchers from University College London (UCL) tracked the exercise habits of 1,400 participants over 30 years.
When each person turned 69, the volunteers took a test to assess their memory, attention span, language and verbal fluency.
Those who were classified as moderately active—that is, they engaged in some form of physical activity one to four times a month—performed better than those who exercised less frequently.
At least 30 minutes of a range of activities, including badminton, swimming, fitness exercises, yoga, dancing, soccer, jogging or even just brisk walking, count as one exercise session.
Research shows that jogging just once a month is enough to protect your memory later in life – even for couch potatoes who pick it up in their 50s and 60s (stock photo)
Volunteers also completed a questionnaire at five time points during the study—ages 36, 43, 53, 60 to 64, and 69 years. Overall, 11 percent of the participants were physically inactive at all five time points, while 15 percent engaged in some exercise at any stage.
The majority of the group – one in five – said they exercised at least twice a month. Previous studies have shown that regular exercise can reduce the risk of developing dementia by a third.
Much of this research has focused on midlife fitness, finding benefits for those who get the NHS recommended 150 minutes of exercise per week.
But the researchers behind the new study say their findings are proof that every little bit helps and that it’s never too late to start.
dr Sarah-Naomi James, a researcher at UCL and lead investigator on the study, will assess whether the movement patterns can ultimately delay the onset of dementia
dr Sarah-Naomi James, a researcher at UCL and lead investigator on the study, said her study “provides evidence that inactive adults are encouraged to be even slightly active…at any point in adulthood” to enhance cognition and improve memory later in life.
Frequent exercise is said to improve blood flow to the brain, leading to increased activity in areas associated with learning and memory.
dr James will continue to monitor the cohort to assess whether the exercise patterns can ultimately delay the onset of dementia.
“We hope this will be the world’s first cradle-to-grave study – in which we’ve studied people throughout their lives,” she added.