A new study has found that even one session of exercise per month can strengthen memory in old age.
Scientists at University College London studied the exercise habits of 1,400 individuals over a period of 30 years in a research study.
When each person reached the age of 69, their memory, attention, language, and verbal fluency were tested. Those who were moderately active, meaning they participated in physical activities one to four times per month, had better memory than those who exercised less.
Activities such as playing badminton, swimming, doing fitness workouts, dancing, yoga, playing football, jogging, or walking briskly for at least 30 minutes were considered exercise for the purposes of the study.
During the study, participants completed a questionnaire at five different ages: 36, 43, 53, 60-64, and 69.
Overall, 11% of participants were not physically active during any of the five periods, while 15% exercised at least once during each period. The majority of participants in the study said they exercised at least twice a month.
Previous studies have shown that regular exercise reduces the risk of dementia by a third.
