Exercise In The Morning Sharpens Brains Of Older Adults

A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine and conducted by researchers at the University of Western Australia’s Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute has found that older adults who regularly engage in morning moderate-intensity workouts benefit from a sharper brain during the day when it comes to cognitive performance.

The study also concluded that spurts of morning exercise in conjunction with brief, light-intensity walking breaks throughout an eight-hour day boosts short-term memory, when compared to uninterrupted sitting. Researchers discovered that different patterns of physical activity could enhance specific cognitive tasks.

The study observed 67 adults between 55- and 80-years-old, with participants exercising on a treadmill in the morning, and several also getting three-minute walking breaks throughout the day. Researchers assessed different aspects of cognition and concentration, such as psychomotor function, attention span, executive function such as decision-making, visual learning, and working memory.

Prior research shows a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic growth factor plays a significant role in the growth and survival of neurons that transmit information. Researchers found that the protein was elevated for eight hours in both exercise conditions when compared to prolonged sitting.

“With an aging population which is looking to live healthier for longer, these studies are critical to people enjoying a productive and satisfying quality of life,” says lead author Michael Wheeler, physical activity researcher at the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, in a media release. “This study highlights how relatively simple changes to your daily routine could have a significant benefit to your cognitive health. It also reveals that one day we may be able to do specific types of exercise to enhance specific cognitive skills such as memory or learning.”