Physical Activity May Enhance Memory in Seniors, Effects Could Persist for 24 Hours: Research
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New Delhi, Dec 10 (NationPress) Are you experiencing frequent forgetfulness? Engaging in a brisk walk, dancing, or ascending a few flights of stairs might be the solution to enhancing your memory, with effects potentially lasting for an entire day, according to a study released on Tuesday.
Previous investigations have indicated that individuals' cognitive abilities improve in the hours following physical activity, but the duration of these benefits had remained unclear.
The latest research, conducted by scholars at University College London (UCL), demonstrated that the amount of moderate to vigorous physical activity—enough to elevate heart rates—performed by individuals aged 50 to 83 correlates with improved memory the following day.
Additionally, spending less time in a sedentary state and achieving six or more hours of sleep were associated with superior performance on memory assessments the next day.
Published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, these findings imply that the memory-enhancing effects of physical activity may endure longer than previously believed.
The benefits may extend “to the next day instead of just a few hours after exercise,” remarked lead researcher Dr. Mikaela Bloomberg from the Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care at UCL.
“Achieving more sleep, particularly deep sleep, appears to contribute to this enhancement in memory,” she elaborated.
The researchers noted that in the short run, exercise promotes increased blood circulation to the brain, stimulating the release of neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine and dopamine, which support various cognitive functions.
While earlier studies suggested that these effects lasted only a few hours post-exercise, the current research highlighted that other brain changes associated with physical activity could be more enduring. For instance, evidence indicates that exercise can elevate mood for up to 24 hours.
The research team analyzed data from 76 men and women who utilized activity trackers over an eight-day period and engaged in daily cognitive assessments.
Participants who engaged in brisk walking, dancing, or climbing stairs experienced immediate cognitive benefits that persisted longer than previously assumed.
In contrast, increased sedentary time was linked to diminished working memory the following day.
“This was a small study, and therefore it warrants replication with a larger cohort of participants before we can be confident in the findings,” they concluded.
