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July’s edition of Scientific American shows us that staying physically and mentally active helps us to stay sharp as we age
As everybody knows, if you do not work out, your muscles get flaccid. What most people don’t realize, however, is that your brain also stays in better shape when you exercise. And not just challenging your noggin by, for example, learning a new language, doing difficult crosswords or taking on other intellectually stimulating tasks. As researchers are finding, physical exercise is critical to vigorous mental health, too. ….continue reading
Source: Scientific American
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University of Queensland neuroscientists have, for the first time, been able to demonstrate that moderate exercise significantly increases the number of neural stem cells in the ageing brain.
In research published in Stem Cells, Dr Daniel Blackmore and his colleagues at the Queensland Brain Institute (QBI) have shown that moderate exercise directly increases the number of stem cells in the ageing brain.
Despite the conventional wisdom that we only have a set number of neurons or brain cells, neuroscientists have known for some time that, in healthy brains, the creation of new neurons is an ongoing and lifelong mechanism. [continue reading…]
What’s the truth about “use it or lose it” when it comes to our brain power in later years?
Cognitive decline was long seen as an inevitable consequence of aging, but recent years have seen a surge of interest in activities and products touted to forestall this outcome. What is the truth? Is decline inevitable, or is there a possibility of retaining our faculties if we exercise them? And which kinds of exercises and products are effective, and which are merely hype?
According to the most rigorous and comprehensive review of the scientific findings ever, there is clear evidence that cognitive-enrichment activities—including intellectually stimulating pursuits, social engagement, and especially physical exercise—may indeed preserve or enhance various aspects of cognitive functioning as we age. The authors of the report will discuss the findings at a press conference in Washington, DC on June 24. [continue reading…]
Statue of Achilles at the Corfu Achilleion.
As I hobble around today I draw no comfort from the news release (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) that’s about to follow my whining! I am back on the exercise train- and, if you follow me on Twitter you may realize that I drag myself to the gym for much of the week. Oh, and did I mention how well its been going? That is until yesterday… changing up my program I added 1 minute of skipping to the end of my weight sets. I almost made it. My last set…..my last half minute of skipping … ouch there went my Achilles. Reading this press release today just rubs salt in the wound (so to speak). Alright , I know, I’m no spring chicken anymore and I need to pay heed to my crumbling bod!
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