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Aerobic Exercise Boosts Brain Health

New study shows improvements in adults at risk for dementia

Getty Images Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. The biggest improvement in cognitive function, which also includes cognitive processing speed, was found in the group who exercised and followed the blood-pressure-friendly . These participants improved their scores on such thinking tests by the equivalent of reversing nearly nine years of aging. At the outset, they had a mean age of 65 but executive-function scores consistent with people in their early 90s. After six months on the diet-and-exercise regimen, their scores corresponded with the performance of people who were 84 years old. Diet alone, however, was not linked to improvements in executive function. Nor did the researchers find improvements in memory for diet shifts or any combination of exercise and diet. Still, working up a sweat can't hurt. Past research has linked aerobic fitness to a host of other health benefits, including , and a better night’s sleep. In this case, the authors say their results should be interpreted with caution because of the study’s small size. More research is needed to figure out how to best bolster brain health through a combination of diet, exercise and other possible lifestyle changes. AARP Membership — $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. AARP VALUE & MEMBER BENEFITS See more Health & Wellness offers > See more Flights & Vacation Packages offers > See more Finances offers > See more Health & Wellness offers > SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS