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Dear All,
There is now solid evidence that (for older people at least) aerobic
exercise training enlarges the brain (Colcombe et al, 2006). Lack of
physical activity is one of the major causes of obesity and increased
physical activity is an obvious antidote but recent studies have shown
that physical activity also has a beneficial influence on brain
performance as shown by cognition tests (Hillman et al, 2008). Aerobic
physical activities that improve cardiorespiratory fitness are also
beneficial for cognitive function in healthy older adults and improve
their motor function, cognitive speed, auditory and visual attention
(Angevaren et al, 2008).
However, Angevaren et al have noted that: "Larger studies are still
required to confirm whether the aerobic training component is necessary,
or whether the same can be achieved with any type of physical exercise."
Is there anyone out there who is researching which exercises for older
people are best for improving the performance of both their brains and
their bodies?
Regards,
David McFarlane MAppSc (Ergonomics)
Ergonomist, WorkCover NSW
References
1. Colcombe SJ, Erickson KI, Scalf PE, Kim JS, Prakash R, McAuley E,
Elavsky S, Marquez DX, Hu L, Kramer AF, (2006), "Aerobic exercise
training increases brain volume in aging humans.
", J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci, 2006 Nov, 61, (11), pp
1166-70.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17167157
2. Hillman CH, Erickson KI, Kramer AF, (2008), "Be smart, exercise your
heart: exercise effects on brain and cognition.
", Nat Rev Neurosci, 2008 Jan, 9, (1), pp 58-65.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18094706
3. Angevaren M, Aufdemkampe G, Verhaar HJ, Aleman A, Vanhees L, (2008),
"Physical activity and enhanced fitness to improve cognitive function in
older people without known cognitive impairment", Cochrane Database Syst
Rev, 2008 Jul 16, (3), pp CD005381.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18646126
See also: "Exercise and the Brain"
http://www.brainadvantage.net/PDF/Exercise%20and%20the%20Brain.pdf.
and "The Unique Relation of Physical Activity to Executive Function"
http://cme.medscape.com/viewarticle/561346_4
Disclaimer
Any recommendation concerning the use or representation of a particular
brand of product in this document or any mention of them whatsoever
(whether this appears in the text, illustrations, photographs or in any
other form) is not to be taken to imply that WorkCover NSW approves or
endorses the product or the brand.
************************************************** ************************************************** ************************************
This message, including any attached files, is intended solely for the addressee named and may contain confidential
information. If you are not the intended recipient, please delete it and notify the sender. Any views expressed in this
message are those of the individual sender and are not necessarily the views of WorkCover NSW. Please consider the environment
before printing this E-mail.
************************************************** ************************************************** ************************************
There is now solid evidence that (for older people at least) aerobic
exercise training enlarges the brain (Colcombe et al, 2006). Lack of
physical activity is one of the major causes of obesity and increased
physical activity is an obvious antidote but recent studies have shown
that physical activity also has a beneficial influence on brain
performance as shown by cognition tests (Hillman et al, 2008). Aerobic
physical activities that improve cardiorespiratory fitness are also
beneficial for cognitive function in healthy older adults and improve
their motor function, cognitive speed, auditory and visual attention
(Angevaren et al, 2008).
However, Angevaren et al have noted that: "Larger studies are still
required to confirm whether the aerobic training component is necessary,
or whether the same can be achieved with any type of physical exercise."
Is there anyone out there who is researching which exercises for older
people are best for improving the performance of both their brains and
their bodies?
Regards,
David McFarlane MAppSc (Ergonomics)
Ergonomist, WorkCover NSW
References
1. Colcombe SJ, Erickson KI, Scalf PE, Kim JS, Prakash R, McAuley E,
Elavsky S, Marquez DX, Hu L, Kramer AF, (2006), "Aerobic exercise
training increases brain volume in aging humans.
", J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci, 2006 Nov, 61, (11), pp
1166-70.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17167157
2. Hillman CH, Erickson KI, Kramer AF, (2008), "Be smart, exercise your
heart: exercise effects on brain and cognition.
", Nat Rev Neurosci, 2008 Jan, 9, (1), pp 58-65.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18094706
3. Angevaren M, Aufdemkampe G, Verhaar HJ, Aleman A, Vanhees L, (2008),
"Physical activity and enhanced fitness to improve cognitive function in
older people without known cognitive impairment", Cochrane Database Syst
Rev, 2008 Jul 16, (3), pp CD005381.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18646126
See also: "Exercise and the Brain"
http://www.brainadvantage.net/PDF/Exercise%20and%20the%20Brain.pdf.
and "The Unique Relation of Physical Activity to Executive Function"
http://cme.medscape.com/viewarticle/561346_4
Disclaimer
Any recommendation concerning the use or representation of a particular
brand of product in this document or any mention of them whatsoever
(whether this appears in the text, illustrations, photographs or in any
other form) is not to be taken to imply that WorkCover NSW approves or
endorses the product or the brand.
************************************************** ************************************************** ************************************
This message, including any attached files, is intended solely for the addressee named and may contain confidential
information. If you are not the intended recipient, please delete it and notify the sender. Any views expressed in this
message are those of the individual sender and are not necessarily the views of WorkCover NSW. Please consider the environment
before printing this E-mail.
************************************************** ************************************************** ************************************