In addition to benefits like improved sleep, normalized weight, extended lifespan, and a host of other physical and mental health advantages, possessing a younger-appearing brain profile can be cited as another compelling reason to engage in physical activity.
A fresh 12-month clinical trial involving 130 healthy adults, aged between 26 and 58, conducted by scientists in the United States, revealed that participants who followed a comprehensive weekly exercise regimen exhibited biologically younger brains compared to those in the control group. The findings of this investigation are published in the Journal of Sport and Health Science.
When scientists discuss biological aging, in simple terms, they are referring to age-related wear and tear. Although everyone celebrates their birthday annually, different parts of our bodies degenerate at varying paces.
A biologically younger brain potentially implies the capacity to sustain cognitive functions for a longer duration, alongside enhanced resilience against conditions such as dementia, though the long-term repercussions were not assessed in this specific study.
“We found that a straightforward exercise program, based on existing guidelines, could significantly rejuvenate the brain in just 12 months,” states Lu Wang from the AdventHealth Research Institute. “While the absolute magnitude of these changes was small, even a one-year shift in brain age can be impactful over decades.”
The volunteers assigned to the exercise cohort were instructed to adhere to the weekly physical activity standards recommended by the World Health Organization: approximately 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise—that is, any activity that noticeably elevates heart rate and respiration.
Based on an analysis of various biomarkers via brain MRI, it was determined that the brains of those adhering to the fitness regimen appeared, on average, 0.6 years younger than their chronological age.
Conversely, participants who maintained their typical routines showed brains that appeared about 0.35 years older than their calendar age. According to the researchers, while this figure alone did not meet the threshold for statistical significance, it signifies that the discrepancy between the two groups amounted to roughly one year.
The subsequent question naturally arises: why might exercise contribute to preserving brain youthfulness? Previous research has linked physical activity to improved brain function, but despite examining several potential mechanisms—including cardiovascular fitness, blood pressure, and beneficial proteins—the researchers in this new study were unable to pinpoint the exact connection between exercise and brain aging.
“This was unexpected,” remarks Wang. “We anticipated that improvements in physical fitness or reductions in blood pressure would account for this effect, but that was not the case. Exercise might influence the body through other pathways that we haven’t yet identified, such as subtle shifts in brain structure, inflammation status, vascular health, or other molecular factors.”
These influencing mechanisms are slated for further investigation in future studies, and the team also intends to extend their research to larger and more diverse populations—perhaps including individuals already considered at high risk for cognitive decline.
Studies have indicated that brain health issues later in life can be influenced by numerous factors that impacted the organ years prior, and it appears that exercise during middle age may exert a noticeable positive influence.
A younger brain is deemed more likely to resist the process of aging and disease, and it correlates with longevity. This adds weight to the growing body of evidence concerning key factors that shape brain aging.
“People frequently ask, ‘Is there anything I can do right now to safeguard my brain in the future?'” shares Kirk Erickson, also from the AdventHealth Research Institute. “Our findings support the notion that adhering to current exercise recommendations—150 minutes of moderate or vigorous aerobic activity per week—can indeed help maintain a biologically younger brain, even during midlife.”
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