This Australian study found that walking for two and a half hours a week can significantly improve memory in the over-50's - you've probably heard about it on the news over the past couple of days. The trial divided 170 people, who had reported memory problems but did not meet criteria for dementia, into two groups. One group continued their usual activities while the other took part in a 24 week home-based physical activity program. By the end of the trial, participants in the exercise group performed better on cognitive tests and had better delayed recall. Not only that, but the effects were still evident six to twelve months after completing the trial.
Professor Nicola T. Lautenschlager led this "Fitness for the Ageing Brain Study," conducted over 18 months at the University of Western Australia. The full paper is published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), 300 (9) : 1027-37, and is entitled "Effect of physical activity on cognitive function in older adults at risk for Alzheimer Disease : a randomized trial."
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