Simple, everyday movements like walking the dog can preserve brain health

Paper Summary

Methodology

This study used a method called Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) to track participants’ physical activities and cognitive performance multiple times daily over nine days. Participants aged 40-65 from the Bronx, New York, were given smartphones programmed with an app to record their activity and perform brief brain tests every few hours.

The study focused on two main tasks: a Symbol Search task to measure the speed of thought and a Grid Memory task for short-term memory. Physical activity was self-reported and categorized by intensity, ranging from light activities like casual walking to moderate-to-vigorous actions such as running or brisk walking.

Key Results

The study found that even short periods of physical activity, whether light or intense, helped participants think faster shortly after. Participants performed better on brain games measuring speed, showing improvements equivalent to “feeling” cognitively four years younger. Interestingly, this boost in thinking speed happened regardless of whether the activity was light or intense. However, while response time improved in the memory game, accuracy in the memory task didn’t show much change after the activity.

Study Limitations

Some limitations could impact the study’s conclusions. First, activity data relied on self-reports, which can be less accurate than wearable trackers. Also, because the study sample was from a specific community and involved a unique group that volunteered for a dietary study, the results might not apply to everyone. Another potential limitation was that light and intense activity effects seemed similar, which may suggest that the reported intensity might not capture actual activity levels accurately.

Discussion & Takeaways

The findings suggest that everyday physical activity—no matter the intensity—may offer immediate cognitive benefits, especially for processing speed. Regular, frequent activity could help maintain this benefit over time, possibly serving as a practical intervention to support cognitive health in middle-aged adults. For those less inclined to vigorous exercise, lighter activities could still offer cognitive perks, supporting broader recommendations to “move more and sit less.”

Funding & Disclosures

This research was funded by the National Institute on Aging and other institutions, which had no influence on the study’s design, data interpretation, or publication decisions. All researchers have declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: StudyFinds

StudyFinds sets out to find new research that speaks to mass audiences — without all the scientific jargon. The stories we publish are digestible, summarized versions of research that are intended to inform the reader as well as stir civil, educated debate. StudyFinds Staff articles are AI assisted, but always thoroughly reviewed and edited by a Study Finds staff member. Read our AI Policy for more information.

Adblock test (Why?)

Source: https://naturalblaze.com/2024/11/simple-everyday-movements-like-walking-the-dog-can-preserve-brain-health.html