Regular walking and blood pressure control help older adults maintain cognitive function, improving focus and the ability to make sound decisions, Medical News Today reports, according to infohub.kz.
US researchers at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston concluded that increasing daily walking volume and staying physically active are directly linked to better attention and self-control in later life. A scientific paper detailing the results of years of work was published in Scientific Reports.
The researchers analyzed Fitbit fitness tracker data from 3,093 participants in the "All of Us" research program aged 18 to 93 over 14 years, from 2009 to 2023. More than 57% of the volunteers were over 60. At the end of the observation period, the specialists measured the participants' blood pressure and ran a series of specialized cognitive tests on visual and selective attention, impulsivity and emotion recognition.
They found that gradually increasing daily activity by about 1,000 steps produced better results on tests of sustained attention and self-control than those of less active peers. At the same time, each additional millimeter of mercury of systolic pressure reduced scores on impulsivity. Higher activity helped lower blood pressure, delivering a double benefit to the brain.
Neuropsychologist Shannel Elhelou explained that exercise stimulates production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which strengthens connections in the hippocampus: "Constant movement supports the brain's vascular network and protects tissue." The authors recommend aiming for 150 minutes of aerobic exercise per week, adapting the workload to individual capabilities.