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Exercise may
improve memory
in older people
HONG KONG (Reuters) - Regular, moderate exercise may help
improve memory in older people and delay the onset of dementia,
a study in Australia shows.
The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical
Association, involved 170 participants aged 50 and over who
reported some memory trouble but who did not have dementia.
Half engaged in moderate exercise, such as walking, for 50
minutes three times a week, while the others did no exercise.
After six months, the participants were given memory and other
tests, including recalling lists of words. Those who exercised
fared markedly better than those who did not.
"The trial is the first to demonstrate that exercise improves
cognitive function in older adults with subjective and objective
mild cognitive impairment," according to the report.
"The benefits of physical activity were apparent after 6 months
and persisted for at least another 12 months after the
intervention had been discontinued."
With the ageing of populations everywhere, an estimated 37
million people worldwide now live with dementia, with
Alzheimer's disease making up the majority of cases, according
to the World Health Organization.
That figure is expected to increase rapidly over the next 20
years and researchers are looking for ways to help delay the
onset of dementia. |
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