Recent research from Penn State College of Medicine reveals that any form of physical activity can enhance cognitive processing speed, regardless of its intensity.
The study employed mobile technology to gather data from participants in near real-time, showing that both moderate-to-vigorous activity and day-to-day physical movements improve brain processing speed. Participants engaged in two types of cognitive tests: a symbol-search game that measured response speed and a recall task to gauge memory accuracy. Remarkably, results from the symbol-search task indicated that participants’ response times improved following periods of physical activity, suggesting an increase in cognitive processing speed.
Interestingly, improvements were not noted in the recall task, highlighting that while physical activity boosts speed, it may not directly enhance memory in the short term. Corresponding author Jonathan G. Hakun, PhD, emphasized a novel approach using real-world data collection to monitor cognitive changes. He pointed out that increased alertness from physical activity likely contributes to this improvement in processing speed, equating it to regaining four years worth of cognitive function.
Participants were instructed to log various physical activities through a mobile app, ranging from light tasks like walking the dog or household chores to more strenuous activities such as running or vigorous biking. The real-time interaction through smart devices provides unprecedented insights into daily activity’s impact on cognitive health. According to Hakun, the rise in processing speed with physical activity was notable at 60 milliseconds, effectively reversing age-related cognitive decline by about four years, which is noteworthy since normal aging reduces cognitive speed by 15 milliseconds each year.
Experts like Vernon Williams, MD, who were not involved in the study, found the results promising for suggesting benefits across all activity levels. Williams mentioned potential factors like improved cardiovascular function and neurotransmitter release aiding cognitive health, especially with regular movement. While some see the short-term speed gains potentially linked to increased blood flow to the frontal lobe, Hakun warns against assuming major neurological changes from brief activity bouts.
Despite these short-term benefits, both Williams and Hakun note that lasting cognitive enhancements from exercise occur over extended periods. Therefore, while daily activities may quickly boost alertness and readiness, long-term habits are crucial for sustained brain health. Hakun emphasizes the significance of staying active but reminds us that alertness rather than profound neurobiological shifts is likely behind the speed enhancements observed.
This study underscores the importance of incorporating physical activity into daily routines to maintain brain health. While not all activities directly boost memory, their impact on processing speed is undeniable, offering a simple way to combat cognitive aging.
Source: Medicalnewstoday
