New Study Shows Regular Exercise May Help Slow The Cognitive Decline Of Aging [Video]

According to a new study conducted by researchers from the University of Queensland in Australia, regular physical activity can help people maintain their strength as they age while protecting the body against illness and chronic injury. The research results revealed that the protections can extend to the brain.

Researchers concluded that exercise can prevent cognitive decline in mice “with a “profound and selective effect” on specific identified types of brain cells. Although the study’s results likely apply to humans, the exact mechanisms that drive the health effect are not entirely understood. 

The conducted study examined groups of young and old mice aged either 3 or 18 months. The groups were either living a sedentary or active lifestyle so that researchers could examine the effects of regular physical activity in tandem with aging on gene expressions within a brain structure associated with learning and memory.

Study co-author Jana Vukovic said, “We foundthat aging significantly alters the gene …