Light Exercise Can Protect Ageing Brains

Seniors don't have to be a vigorous athlete in order to reap significant cognitive benefits,a new University of Colorado Boulder study suggests.The study,lead by Research Associate Ruth Barrientos,shows that rats in late middle age which ran just over a half kilometer a week-just over a third of a mile-were profoundly less susceptible to memory loss associated with immunological challenges such as bacterial infection.The rats had been infected with E.coli bacteria.
Previous research with humans has shown the protective power of exercise against cognitive decline such as dementia.It has also uncovered a correlation between immune system challenges and dementia.
Microglia,the brain's immune cells,tend to overreact with age,releasing too many inflammatory molecules called cytokines,which may result in cognitive impairment when the body faces infection or even surgery.
Cytokines are small protein molecules that transmit messages between cells.In the process,they can regulate inflammatory responses.
A little exercise,however,may be effective therapy for an ageing brain with unruly cytokines,according to the CU Boulder study.The study has been published in the current issue of The Journal of Neuroscience.

British Study:Middle Age Exercise Crucial

Whether you get enough exercise in middle age is determinative of your physical ability in old age,a new British study confirms.The research by Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry,an affiliate of the Universities of Exeter and Plymouth,reviewed two long term studies of ageing in the U.S. and U.K. respectively,considering the experiences of more than 9200 individuals.It shows that the rate of physical impairment is twice as high in old age among those who were less active in middle age.Dr.Iain Lang,who led the research,said it wasn't just a matter of losing weight.The results applied across weight classes.Exercise in middle age helped people remain physically healthy and active later in life.
According to the research,exercise of 30 minutes at least three times a weak reduced disability occurrence by 11%.Walking distances,climbing stairs,balance and grip tend to be preserved by a history of exercise in middle age.Intensive gardening,housework,sport and job physical activity were all helpful.
Much of PCMD's research is focused on the theme of Diabetes,Cardiovascular Risk and Ageing.

Study Shows Exercise Benefit

Twenty minutes of moderate exercise lifts the spirits for up to 12 hours,a University of Vermont study indicates.This significant positive effect was noted in all participants.Fitness level,gender and age didn't matter.The work-outs by the subjects were at 60% maximum aerobic capacity,which is the equivalent of a brisk walk.Exercise affects body chemistry,provides a change of pace and results in social interactions,all of which may induce a brighter outlook in participants.Perhaps mood medication isn't as necessary as was previously thought.