Regular physical activity can have a significant impact on cognitive function, not just physically, but also mentally. Research has shown that exercise can improve memory and working memory, even after the physical activity itself is completed. In fact, studies suggest that these benefits can last for up to 24 hours.
A new study published recently involved middle-aged and older adults who wore wrist-worn activity trackers to track their daily physical activity and sleep patterns. The results showed that participants who engaged in moderate-to-vigorous exercise had improved memory scores the following day, with better performance on tests assessing episodic and working memory.
Interestingly, getting more sleep, particularly slow-wave sleep, was also associated with improvement in memory scores, independently of physical activity. Conversely, sedentary individuals had worse working memory scores the following day.
While the benefits were modest, the study’s findings have significant implications for maintaining cognitive function as we age. Exercise has been shown to stimulate blood flow and release specific brain chemicals that contribute to cognitive function, which may explain why it can have such a lasting impact on our brains.
The study’s authors emphasize the importance of maintaining active lifestyles and supporting this with good sleep. Their research suggests that incorporating regular exercise into daily routines can lead to improved cognitive performance, reduced dementia risk, and enhanced overall brain health.
Source: https://theconversation.com/exercise-boosts-memory-for-up-to-24-hours-after-a-workout-new-research-245693