A recent study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease Reports found that walking improves brain connectivity and memory in older adults.
The study involved 33 older adults, aged 71 to 85, who were randomly assigned to either a walking group or a control group. The walking group walked for 40 minutes, four times a week for 12 weeks. The control group did not participate in any exercise.
Before and after the intervention, all participants underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to measure brain connectivity and memory function. The fMRI results showed that the walking group experienced increased connectivity in three key brain networks: the default mode network, the salience network, and the central executive network. These networks are involved in a variety of cognitive functions, including memory, attention, and decision-making.
The walking group also showed significant improvements in memory function on a number of cognitive tests. The control group, on the other hand, did not show any significant changes in brain connectivity or memory function.
These findings suggest that walking is a simple and effective way to improve brain health and cognitive function in older adults. Walking is also a low-impact exercise, making it a good option for people of all fitness levels.