Friday, January 9, 2009

Physical Fitness Helps Brains

From CTV.ca News Staff
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"New research from the University of Calgary is providing yet another reason for women to stay physically active as they age.
The study, which is published in the international journal Neurobiology of Aging, has found that women who stay physically fit help their brains to function at optimum levels.
Marc Poulin, the senior author of the study, says physical activity helps blood flow in the brain -- and that leads to better cognitive abilities.
"The vascular benefits of exercise that have been reported previously in the heart and muscles are also conferred to the brain ... There are vascular benefits to the brain, as well, from exercise," he told CTV.ca by phone from the University of Calgary's Faculty of Medicine.
The study, entitled the "Effects of Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Cerebral Blood Flow on Cognitive Outcomes in Older Women," compared two groups of women whose mean age was 65 years old. It looked at a random sample of 42 women living in Calgary, splitting them into two groups. One group took part in regular aerobic activity and the other group of women was relatively sedentary.
Researchers then recorded and measured the women's cardiovascular health, resting brain blood flow and the reserve capacity of blood vessels in the brain, as well as cognitive functions.
Poulin says that the study proves for the first time that people who are fit have better blood flow to the brain.
"Our contribution is that we show there are benefits (from exercise) to blood vessels in the brain," he said.
The scientists found that compared to the inactive group, the active group had:
Ten per cent lower resting and exercising arterial blood pressure.
Five per cent higher vascular responses in the brain during submaximal exercise.
Ten per cent higher cognitive function scores, when the levels of carbon dioxide in the blood were elevated.
Poulin says the take home message from his study is simple: exercise helps women's cognition as they grow older. But he also said it also suggests that men could benefit as well -- along with younger women.
"The thing with exercise is that it has the potential to impact one's health at any age," he said."
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So another good reason to get off my butt and to continue with my exercises every day, if I want to lose these 23 extra pounds that I have put on.
And maybe help with my brain functioning properly.
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28 comments:

Grandma - Bear said...

Thanks for visting my blog.I have more puppies if Allen would let me. We rent now and vet bills get expensive.I want to get the radio to work.
I loved the cat. I'm now allergic to cats. It's theonly cat I can have. Can you tell I love animals.
Go to bed, storm coming in Sat.Must finish Mom G's gift. glograbear

Maggie May said...

OK! I am going out walking today and I am going to cut down on food! its my day off!
Must keep my blood flowing to the brain at all costs.
Thanks for the article!

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

It's true, and exercise also helps improve mood. I belong to Curves which is a great place for women to exercise (if you have one there, you should get a free pass to try it out - they usually have some sort of trial offer). There are many, many older (60+) women who come there and some have said they've been able to toss their antidepressants away thanks to exercising.

Of course, I say all this and skipped going all week, but I am definitely going today. Thanks for the little kick to get me moving.

kRiZcPEc said...

well, if you have so decided, then good luck. Perhaps exercising would become a hard habit to kick by the time you achieved your goal. :)

bobbie said...

I'm living proof of this. As I grow older and arthritis, etc. also grows, it does become more difficult for me to exercise. But I know that when I do it anyway I always feel at least 100% better, both physically and mentally. If I have to go somewhere or do something I'm not particularly thrilled with, I exercise first, and it always pays off.

Jinksy said...

Thinks - is this why you have a row of little dancing bears at the side of the screen? They don't want to be like Pooh, a bear of very little brain...

Mental P Mama said...

It is true. Once you get there, you're fine. It's just getting up and going that is hard!

kenju said...

I know. But I still can't get motivated. Soon, maybe....

Anonymous said...

I've got to lose the same 23 lbs as you and instead of telling myself I need to get on the elliptical or treadmill to lose weight, I've started thinking.....The more I exercise the less my chances of dementia will be. It's a real motivator. Funny how our priorities change as we age. :)

Anonymous said...

Truth is, Bear darling, all you need is a Milou, or any of his cousins. Not only will you get all the excersize you need but you will also get loads of cuddles, which the EXPERTS tell us, is good for us too.
Can't be doing with prancing about in close fitting outfits and have some young and beautiful child urging me on.
Actually, there is no better excersize for every muscle in your body than swiming, well there is one thing but it is short supply these days.

Darlene said...

I guess that explains why I can't remember where I left my glasses or the word I'm seeking; I quit going to the gym a year ago and sit in front of the monitor hours at a time. My brain is slowly turning to mush.

Poopsie aka Blue said...

Sounds a great idea but I am lazy & soooooooooooo clu7msy!!!

TY for your well wishes re my mis- adventure - typing one handed makes me slower & with more mistakes but...

Love
Blue

Daryl said...

My get up and go, got up and left... but I do walk a lot ...

photowannabe said...

Oh, it sounds like we are in the same boat. Those ugly pounds crept up and now they think they have a right to be there... maybe if I get my rear in gear the brain will do that also. LOL.

Kay Dennison said...

I finall figure out where the 10 extra lbs. came from. It's my damn doctor's fault. He took me off my thyroid meds. I will be raising hell.

peppylady (Dora) said...

I've been hearing about physical activity and the brain functioning.

Coffee is on.

Wendy said...

It's so true. And I feel better when I've exercised. My favourite exercise at this time of year is walking in the mall!

abb said...

Hope it give you some small pleasure that I need to lose DOUBLE what you need to. POOH!

Baino said...

Awww do I have to . .I swear I've walked the length and breadth of Sydney over the past four days twice over . . my ankles hurt, my knees hurt, hey but I've lost 4 kilos and I feel very intelligent! hehe!

i beati said...

and now I know the reason- I know I sent my card late due to sickness, but did you ever get it??Sandy

Anonymous said...

Come and join us at Elderexercise (see Claude's blog, or it's on my sidebar).
I'm not saying that I'm doing well but I need to lose weight and get fitter and it helps when you do it with other people.

i beati said...

I've got to start running in place as I blog..ha ha Be Well Monsieur Bear. Did you receive my card at Christmas-after??

Ms. 50something said...

Could it be that women who exercise are also women who are more likely to lead active lives? Therefore, they'll use their brains more...so their brains would function better!

rita said...

What a cute bear you are!

I am also a Canadian grandmother with a website: www.notjustthekitchen.com
Our articles are geared for women of a certain age and bears of all ages.

It's nice to meet you!

fleamarketjunkie said...

So true. I've read up on many information confirming the health benefits of exercising. Unfortunately, for several years now, I just can't seem to stick with it. Just like the many yoyo diets that led to an infection in my intestines, my love-hate relationship with exercise is one of those unfulfilled dreams I continue to tackle.

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