Exercise stops your brain from shrinking, researchers say
Cardio exercise, which includes activities like running, biking and jogging, is often thought of as crucial to heart health and weight loss. Indeed, a new study from the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings associates cardiovascular exercise with better brain health — specifically, the brain’s gray matter and total brain volume, which are both brain regions involved with cognitive decline and aging. "This provides indirect evidence that aerobic exercise can have a positive impact on cognitive function in addition to physical conditioning," Peterson said in a press release. Michael Joyner, M.D., a Mayo Clinic anesthesiologist and co-author of the editorial, said in the press release this study is another piece of evidence suggesting physical activity can protect people from “aging-related cognitive decline.” "This is another piece of the puzzle showing physical activity and physical fitness is protective against aging-related cognitive decline," Joyner said. "There's already good epidemiological evidence for this, as well as emerging data showing that physical activity and fitness are associated with improved brain blood vessel function.
More evidence that exercise can have beneficial effects on cognitive performance
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