For long-term brain health, older adults should carefully consider how they spend their free time, according to a new study.
Researchers from the University of South Australia assessed the 24-hour activity patterns of almost 400 people over the age of 60.
When it comes to brain health, the study found that the context or type of activity individuals undertake matters, news agency SWNS reported.
Some sedentary behaviors are better for cognitive function than others, according to findings published in The Journal of Gerontology Series A.
Mentally stimulating behaviors such as reading, listening to music, praying, crafting and playing a musical instrument – as well as social behaviors such as chatting with others – are beneficial for memory and thinking skills, the study said.
The research team referred to the “valuable insights” that could help reduce cases of cognitive impairment.
More passive activities, such as playing video games or watching TV, do not provide the same benefits as reading, praying and other activities, they noted.
Mentally stimulating behaviors such as reading, listening to music, praying, doing crafts and playing a musical instrument are beneficial for memory and thinking skills, the study said. Krakenimages.com – stock.adobe.com
According to estimates by the World Health Organization, more than 55 million people around the world suffer from dementia. Another 10 million new cases are diagnosed every year.
Dr. Maddison Mellow, a researcher at the University of South Australia, said not all sedentary behavior is equal when it comes to memory and cognitive health.
“In this study,” she said, “we found that the context of an activity changes how it relates to cognitive function, with different activities providing different levels of cognitive stimulation and social engagement.”
She said scientists “already know that physical activity provides strong protection against the risk of dementia, and that this should be a priority if you are trying to improve your brain health,” according to SWNS.
“But until now, we had not directly investigated whether we can improve our brain health by swapping one sedentary activity for another.”
The research team referred to the “valuable insights” that could help reduce cases of cognitive impairment. witthaya – stock.adobe.com
She continued: “And while the ‘move more, sit less’ message certainly applies to cardiometabolic and brain health, our research shows that a more nuanced approach is needed when it comes to thinking about the link between sedentary behavior and cognitive functioning. ”
It’s wise to “prioritize movements that are enjoyable and increase the heart rate,” she also said.
And “even small time changes of five minutes can help.”
A recent study published by the RAND Corporation in California also identified several key predictors that occur around age 60 and could likely lead to cognitive impairment and dementia in individuals at age 80, as Fox News Digital previously reported.
The study results suggested that “maintaining good physical and mental health is not only beneficial for staying fit, but also for staying sharp and slowing cognitive decline.” Africa Studio – stock.adobe.com
Researchers evaluated 181 potential risk factors, including demographics, socioeconomic status, lifestyle and health behaviors, health history, psychosocial factors and more.
The list of predictors included “never exercising” and “little involvement in hobbies,” according to RAND.
The study results suggested that “maintaining good physical and mental health is beneficial not only for staying in shape, but also for staying sharp and delaying cognitive decline,” co-author Peter Hudomiet, a RAND economist, told IPS. California, to Fox News Digital.
Fox News Digital’s Melissa Rudy contributed reporting.
Leave a Reply