Encouraging finding
In a comment, Joel Hughes, PhD, professor of psychology and director of clinical training at Kent (Ohio) State University, said the study contributes to the idea that “accumulation of physical activity over one’s lifetime fits the data better than a ‘sensitive period’ – which suggests that it’s never too late to start exercising.”
Dr. Hughes, who was not involved in the research, noted that “exercise can improve cerebral blood flow and hemodynamic function, as well as greater activation of relevant brain regions such as the frontal lobes.”
While observing that the effects of exercise on cognition are likely complex from a mechanistic point of view, the finding that “exercise preserves or improves cognition later in life is encouraging,” he said.
The study received funding from the UK Medical Research Council and Alzheimer’s Research UK. The investigators and Dr. Hughes report no relevant financial relationships.
A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.