# Effect Of Exercise On Memory As We Age

- Link: https://lifeandwork.blog/effect-of-exercise-on-memory-as-we-age/
- Published: 2026-09-17T17:26:40-05:00
- Author: Bert Swope

It has been proved through various researches that one should be physically active
for a number of positive reasons like reducing the risk of certain major health 
problems like stroke, diabetes, and heart problem, etc. People of all age groups
also do exercise to lower their blood pressure, lose weight, look healthy and prevent
depression, etc. However, some of the aging people do exercises regularly to protect
their thinking power and memory.

## Research-Based Results

The researchers of the British Columbia University have found in a study that your
sweat glands and heart start pumping when aerobic exercises are done regularly. 
It also increases the size of the area of the brain involved in verbal learning 
and memory, the hippocampus. But one cannot expect similar results with muscle toning
and balancing as well as resistance training exercises.

According to researchers, every four seconds, you can find a new case of dementia
throughout the world. As per their estimate, there can be over 115 million dementia
patients all over the world by the year 2050.

## The Brain and Exercise

Various studies have proven that exercise can help in improving your thinking skills
and memory directly as well as indirectly.

The direct benefits of exercise are experienced by reducing inflammation, resistance
to insulin and increasing the release of the factors that help in overall growth
like chemicals found in the brain that can affect the growth of brain’s new blood
vessels, the health of brain cells and survival of large number of new cells in 
the brain.

The indirect effect of exercise can be experienced in terms of reduction in anxiety
and stress as well as improvement in sleep and mood. One can experience cognitive
impairment if any problem is frequently experienced in these areas.

Various researchers believe that the volume of the parts of the brain that control
memory and thinking is larger in the people doing exercises regularly than those
who do not exercise. Researchers were more excited to find that the increase in 
the volume of certain parts of the brain can be linked to be engaged in an exercising
program with a moderate level of intensity for 6-12 months.

## How Exercise Can Improve Your Memory

A number of ways are developed by your brain to recall and process information fast
to solve the problems familiar to you as well as implement the tasks by making minimum
efforts form your brain as you grow old. But you cannot stimulate your brain to 
develop and grow more if you do not depend only on the ways you have developed so
far to remember things. So it is important for you to do some exercises infrequently
to keep your body and brain active.

You can improve your memory if you use it regularly; otherwise, you can lose it 
like your muscle power. Your brain can remember and process the information more
efficiently if you regularly do some brain exercises. The best way to work out with
your brain is to find new ways to use your brain by accepting challenges by going
out of routine.

## How Much Exercise Is Required To Improve Memory?

In a study, the participants were directed to walk briskly twice a week for one 
hour each time. So, the walk of 120 minutes in a week is an exercise of reasonable
intensity. Normally it is advised to do physical activities of modest intensity 
for at least half an hour daily or weekly 150 minutes. If it is not possible for
you then you can start exercising for a few minutes and goon increasing its time
by 5-10 minutes per week unless you achieve the target of workout for 150 minutes
per week.

Aging people can do aerobic exercises to improve their memory and thinking ability
like swimming, walking, tennis, stair climbing, dancing or squash, etc. but their
intensity should be reasonable. You can also focus on some household activities 
for this purpose like mopping the floor, gather leaves form the garden, or anything
else which can sweat you lightly and pump your heart a bit faster.

If you cannot exercise regularly on your own, then either you can work out with 
your friends or join a class so that you can be accountable for whatever you do.
In order to encourage you to achieve your target, you should keep a track record
of your physical activities. You can also hire a trainer if your budget allows you
to keep you on track.

## Conclusion

You can easily improve your memory with your increasing age by doing exercises of
moderate-intensity regularly. A schedule of the regular workout will work as medicine
to improve your mental power.

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