Senior Care News

Exercise for Better Brain Health

Senior Care in Pompano Beach FL

Most of us know that as a person gets older, they benefit from modest exercise in order to maintain or improve physical health. A new study from the University of Kansas Medical Center, just released in July 2015, found that exercise also improves brain health.

Exercise for Brain Health
Dr. Jeffrey Burns, who is the University of Kansas Alzheimer’s Disease Center’s co-director and a professor who specializes in neurology was in charge of the trial. Older adults, who are sixty-five years or older, participated in the trial that lasted six months. These older adults had no problems with memory or thinking abilities that are associated with those that have Alzheimer’s.

The trial wanted to determine the effect of exercise on brain function for normal, healthy, older adults. Moreover, the idea was to decide the ultimate level of exercise that produced the best results.

Since the trial was both random and had a control group, the results are statistically significant. Participants were assigned randomly to four different groups, which included:

  • Those that did not have their exercise levels monitored so as not to change any of their regular behaviors.
  • Those that had a supervised exercise program of 75 minutes per week.
  • Those that had a supervised exercise program of 150 minutes per week.
  • Those that had a supervised exercise program of 225 minutes per week.

 

Brain Study Results
The way the brain function was tested is that the participants, at the start of the research trial, took challenges to see how accurately they could determine visual-spacing (perceived distances between objects). They were also monitored for levels of concentration and the ability to focus on the subject matter. These results provided a baseline for comparison at the end of the trial, when participants were tested again for the same things.

The results of the study showed that older adults who exercised had improved brain function. Those who exercised more had greater improvement.

Additionally, it was not the duration of the exercise that mattered as much as the intensity of the exercise. Aerobic exercise was better than less strenuous forms.

The results are encouraging, because the University of Kansas continues to study the effects of exercise as part of senior care for those with Alzheimer’s. They are also conducting studies to determine if exercise delays or slows the onset of Alzheimer’s in older adults.

In-Home Care
Professional caregivers that provide senior care are instrumental in implementing an exercise program for those seniors that they care for in their own homes.

Simple aerobic exercise, such as making body movements along with enjoyable high-energy music, is a terrific way to improve in-home, elder care. Many older adults fail to get enough exercise, simply because they lack motivation.

When in-home professional caregivers make weekly exercise a part of the normal regime, the motivation for the seniors is highly increased, which is extremely good for them. Exercise that is appropriate, depending on the abilities of the person receiving care, is very beneficial, not only for the body, but also for the brain.

If you or a family member near Pompano Beach, FL are in need of senior care services, call the caring professionals at Star Multi Care today at (954) 870-4770. Providing Service in Ft. Lauderdale, Boca Raton, Pompano Beach, Delray Beach, Coconut Creek, Taramac, Margate, and surrounding Florida cities.

Source
Exercise can improve brain function in older adults
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/296872.php

Stephen Sternbach

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