2023-10-04 09:53:04
▲ Research results have shown that combining aerobic exercise and strength training helps improve cognitive performance in people over 80 years old. (Photo = DB)
[메디컬투데이=최재백 기자] It has been shown that combining aerobic exercise and strength training helps improve cognitive performance in elderly people.
Research results were published in the academic journal ‘Geroscience’ showing that combining aerobic exercise and strength training can help improve cognitive performance in people over 80 years old.
The research team reported that elderly people who combined aerobic exercise and strength training had better cognitive performance than those who did not exercise or performed only aerobic exercise.
They asked elderly people aged 85 to 99 (average age 88.49 years) with normal cognitive function to self-report their daily exercise.
68.5% of all elderly people answered that they exercise, and the research team classified the participants into ‘do not exercise’, ‘only do aerobic exercise’, and ‘do both aerobic and strength exercise’. Afterwards, the cognitive performance of the elderly was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, which is designed to evaluate signs of mild cognitive decline and early dementia.
As a result of the study, elderly people who performed only aerobic exercise did not have a significant difference in cognitive performance from elderly people who did not exercise, while elderly people who combined aerobic exercise and strength training showed the highest overall cognitive performance score.
Elderly people who did both types of exercise simultaneously had faster thinking speed and an excellent ability to change and adapt their thoughts as needed, regardless of exercise intensity or time.
Experts evaluated that aerobic exercise and strength training improve mental health even as one gets older, and strength exercise in particular helps people live independently, such as getting up from the toilet. In addition, they warned that sedentary lifestyle habits without exercise not only increase the risk of sarcopenia but also decrease physical performance, increasing the risk of falls and fractures, and can even lead to cognitive impairment.
They did not confirm in detail how exercise improves cognitive function, but they analyzed that aerobic exercise and strength training improved insulin sensitivity, thereby improving overall brain health and reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Additionally, they noted that aerobic and strength training affect different brain regions, with other studies showing that resistance strength training improves the structure and function of the frontal lobe, while aerobic exercise affects brain regions involved in memory, such as the hippocampus. It has a positive effect on the structure and function of.
Aerobic exercise such as walking, running, cycling, and swimming has a notable effect of improving cardiopulmonary function by increasing heart rate and oxygen consumption. Resistance strength training, which involves contracting muscles against external resistance, aims to build strength and muscle mass, improve joint flexibility, and strengthen bones.
The research team said that exercise of appropriate intensity is essential regardless of age, and that it is especially important for seniors in their 80s and 90s to exercise, but they must be careful about injuries during exercise.
Regarding exercise for seniors, the National Institute of Aging recommends: ▲Start slowly with low-intensity exercise ▲Warm up properly before exercise and cool down after exercise ▲Pay attention to the surrounding environment when exercising outdoors ▲Before, during, and after exercise It is recommended that you drink plenty of water and consult an exercise plan with a medical professional.
Medical Today Reporter Jaebaek Choi ([email protected])
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