ALZHEIMER'S BLOGGING:

WALKING NOW MAY BOOST BRAIN LATER STUDY SAYS - Los Angeles Times

Walking may help maintain memory & cognitive function for years, a study published online found.

The research in the journal Neurology, is based on a study if 299 men & women, average age 78, who were followed for nine years. The study participants were asked about their physical activity, which was calculated as the number of blocks walked per week (walking was the most common exercise). Study subjects walked from zero to 300 blocks a week. High-resolution brain scans were done on the participants nine years after the beginning of the study.

The more the participants walked at the beginning of the study, the greater their brain volume nine years later.

It took 72 blocks of walking per week to show improvement. Walking more did not further increase brain volume.

All participants were deemed cognitively normal at the beginning of the study. Forty percent developed cognitive impairment or dementia four years into the study.

Those who walked the most reduced their risk of acquiring memory loss by half.

Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
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