HHS HealthBeat (May 19, 2008)

Exercise for the brain

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

There may be another way to protect the aging brain besides exercising it with intense sudoku puzzles.

A Mayo Clinic study finds regular physical exercise can help protect against mild cognitive impairment, which can include difficulty in remembering things such as events, appointments or even parts of conversations. 

Researchers examined data from over 800 people ages 70 through 89. 

Lead investigator Yonas Geda:

“Persons who engage in this type of moderate, physical exercise between ages 50 and 65 at the frequency of two to five or six times a week appear to be protected against mild cognitive impairment.”  (12 seconds)

The study supported by the National Institutes of Health was presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 2008 annual meeting.

Learn more at hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  I’m Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: May, 16 2008