How physical activity affects the mental ability

There are many reasons for deciding to play sports, especially after 40 years. According to the study, published in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, exercises that require endurance, force your brain to work at full capacity.

Scientists from the University of Texas at Austin have tried to find out whether there is a link between regular cardio and cognitive abilities in people of middle age. The study involved 59 people between the ages of 43 to 65 years. 32 participants involved in sports, and 27 were sedentary. The first group performed aerobic and strength exercises for four days (7 hours per week), another group of paid training no more than 1 hour per week.

To obtain the results used the test on a treadmill, c by ultrasound measured blood flow velocity, and conducted a series of tests to assess memory and attention test.

As a result, group exercise, has shown excellent results in tests of memory testing, and quickly deal with the study of complex issues. Participants spend time on training, better working heart and circulating blood to the brain than the "sedentary" group.

The main finding of the study - regular exercise a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system, which, in turn, affects the cognitive activity.

Dr. Martha Piron, the initiator of the study, is convinced that there is every reason to believe that middle-aged people who find time for physical activity, not only have good health and avoid problems with the cardiovascular system, but also demonstrate extremely high cognitive abilities (despite the fact that during this period they usually reduced).

Although the majority of participants in the experiment were engaged in running, Piron contends that other forms of exercise, such as swimming or bicycle training, also have a positive effect on the cardiovascular system, and therefore on the cognitive activity.