In recent years, there has been a ton of spotlight placed on the importance of exercise and the positive effects that it has on physical and psychological health. But did you know that exercise has also been shown to have a beneficial impact on memory, too? In truth, it’s a pretty big deal!
Physical activity has actually been shown to have a highly beneficial effect on a person’s ability to both retain and utilize information (this is dubbed your working memory).¹ While we need to learn more to figure out the most ideal dosage of exercise for the best benefits, we do know that not all exercise was created equal when it comes to memory.
So, what are our best options?
While straight aerobic or resistance exercises were shown to still be helpful, the most beneficial programs have been shown to include a combination of aerobic, resistance, stretching, and balance activities.¹ There are tons of different ways to go about this, though yoga and pilates are great examples that fit the bill. However, the best program for you will always be something that you’re able to find enjoyment in! If you can’t find joy in movement, it’s probably going to be difficult to find the motivation to stick with it.
What does that mean if you or a loved one already have some issues with your memory, whether it’s due to dementia, Alzheimers, or some other cause? Truth be told, the protective benefit of physical activity will depend on the cause of memory loss, with people with Alzheimers in particular showing large memory benefits due to exercise.² Not only will physical activity lessen the likelihood of someone developing Alzheimers, but exercise may also slow memory decline in those that already have it.
Why the beneficial impact? Some theories suggest that it comes back to stress. Stress causes our bodies to release a hormone called Cortisol, which has a negative impact on memory as well as other things. Exercise is beneficial for reducing stress, thus reducing Cortisol’s negative impacts. Other theories revolve around physical activity directly helping to improve and maintain proper blood flow to the brain. Regardless of the cause, it is well established that exercise is fantastic for improving our memory in the short and long term. It’s also safe, and provides a multitude of other health benefits.
Do you or a loved one need help figuring out a great program to help improve your physical and mental wellbeing? If so, we would love to see how we can help! Give us a quick call at (232) 239-8155, or email us at Contact@SerendipityPTW.com.
Zhidong, C., Wang, X., Yin, J. et al. Effects of physical exercise on working memory in older adults: a systematic and meta-analytic review. Eur Rev Aging Phys Act 18, 18 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s11556-021-00272-y
Guure, C. B., Ibrahim, N. A., Adam, M. B., & Said, S. M. (2017). Impact of Physical Activity on Cognitive Decline, Dementia, and Its Subtypes: Meta-Analysis of Prospective Studies. BioMed research international, 2017, 9016924. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/9016924
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