A groundbreaking study from University College London has discovered that exercise can enhance cognitive function for up to 24 hours, shedding new light on the benefits of physical activity for older adults.
New findings from researchers at University College London (UCL) suggest that the cognitive benefits of exercise extend far longer than previously thought. According to the study, published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, moderate to vigorous physical activity can boost cognitive performance, including memory, for up to 24 hours.
The significance of this study lies in its departure from previous research, which indicated that cognitive improvements were short-lived, typically lasting just a few hours post-exercise.
The new research was led by Mikaela Bloomberg, senior research fellow in social epidemiology and cocial statistics in UCL’s Department of Epidemiology and Public Health.
“Our findings suggest that the short-term memory benefits of physical activity may last longer than previously thought, possibly to the next day instead of just the few hours after exercise,” Bloomberg said in a news release. “Getting more sleep, particularly deep sleep, seems to add to this memory improvement.”
The study tracked 76 individuals, aged 50 to 83, over eight days using activity trackers to gather data on their physical activity, sedentary behavior and sleep patterns. The participants also took daily cognitive tests to assess memory retention and reaction speed.
A notable revelation from the study includes the type of physical activities that can yield these memory boosts — activities as simple as brisk walking, dancing or stair climbing. Bloomberg emphasized that structured exercise routines are not a prerequisite for these cognitive enhancements.
“Moderate or vigorous activity means anything that gets your heart rate up – this could be brisk walking, dancing, or walking up a few flights of stairs. It doesn’t have to be structured exercise,” she added.
Bloomberg further recognized the study’s limitations, adding, “This was a small study, and so it needs to be replicated with a larger sample of participants before we can be certain about the results.”
Key findings from the study include:
- More moderate to vigorous physical activity was linked to improved working memory and episodic memory the following day.
- Less time spent being sedentary contributed to better next-day cognitive performance.
- Quality and duration of sleep, particularly deep slow-wave sleep, were also positively correlated with memory and cognitive function.
As the brain experiences increased blood flow and the release of neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and dopamine during physical activity, these neurochemical changes appear to benefit cognitive functions such as memory. While previous studies noted these changes lasted only a few hours, the UCL researchers highlight longer-lasting brain states linked to exercise.
Co-author Andrew Steptoe, a professor of psychology and epidemiology at UCL, commented on the broader implications of these findings.
“Among older adults, maintaining cognitive function is important for a good quality of life, well-being and independence. It’s therefore helpful to identify factors that can affect cognitive health on a day-to-day basis,” he said in the news release. “This study provides evidence that the immediate cognitive benefits of exercise may last longer than we thought. It also suggests good sleep quality separately contributes to cognitive performance.”
However, Steptoe acknowledged that the study could not conclusively determine if these short-term cognitive boosts contribute to long-term cognitive health.
“[T]hough there is plenty of evidence to suggest physical activity might slow cognitive decline and reduce dementia risk, it’s still a matter of some debate,” he added.
The groundbreaking research underscores the importance of integrating moderate to vigorous physical activities into daily routines and highlights the synergistic benefits of adequate, quality sleep. Identifying these simple yet effective factors could be vital in enhancing cognitive health and quality of life among older adults.