How exercise impacts brain health
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 6 Million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s. The good news? Several studies have shown that physical exercise is associated with a lower risk of cognitive decline.
A recent study by the American Academy of Neurology showed that among 454 older adults, that every increase in physical activity (by one standard deviation) showed a 31% lower risk of dementia.
How exercise impacts brain health
Physical exercise impacts brain health in a number of ways, including:
- Increasing your heart rate, which increases oxygen flow to the brain
- Promoting brain plasticity, which is your brain’s ability to change and adapt
- Reducing inflammation
- Reducing stress hormone levels
The important thing to be aware of, is that every bit of moment helps. This means, You don’t have to exercise 5 days a week for 30-minutes a day to get the positive benefits of exercise as it relates to brain health.
In a Cleveland Clinic article, a study is highlighted, where “researchers concluded that even among people who did not meet the activity guidelines, each hour of light-intensity physical activity and achieving 7,500 steps or more daily was associated with higher total brain volume. This was ‘equivalent to approximately 1.4 to 2.2 years less brain aging.’”
How to incorporate exercise into your life
Here at Bold, there are exercise programs for everyone.
To start exercising with Bold, after signing up, simply complete a quick assessment that analyzes your current health and fitness levels. From there, Bold designs your personalized exercise program. Whether you need a 6-minute seated class, or a 45-minute cardio class, we have options for you.
We also encourage you to join Bold’s virtual live classes and other events, which fosters social connectedness.
If you have questions on how to get started with Bold or modify your current Bold program, email us at hello@agebold.com.
If you or a loved one needs to talk with a Dementia Expert, the Alzheimer’s Association offers a 24/7 helpline at (800) 272-3900.