Aerobic exercises good for elderly

Aerobic exercise not only keeps the body fit, but also improves memory, attention and other mental abilities in older adults. Aerobic exercise is any activity, such as brisk walking, that gets the heart rate up and improves endurance, over time. This type of exercise has proven benefits for the heart. Cardiovascular disease is known to contribute to problems with mental function. Earlier research has linked regular exercise to better cognitive function in older adults, but it has not been clear whether this is related specifically to aerobic exercise and gains in cardiovascular fitness. To investigate, researchers in the Netherlands reviewed 11 clinical trials conducted in the US, France and Sweden that involved a total of 670 adults older than 55 years. Some studies tested the effects of only aerobic exercise against no exercise; others also included comparison activities, like flexibility or strength training, or social activities. In eight of these studies, it was found that participants who engaged in aerobic exercise showed an average improvement in their fitness levels. That improvement coincided with gains in certain measures of mental acuity. But when non-exercisers were excluded from the analysis, there was no consistent evidence that aerobic exercise was more beneficial than other forms of exercise. Improvement in cognitive abilities through aerobic exercise, or improved cardiovascular fitness in particular, could be attributed to the fact that improvement in blood flow in brain, leads to increased brain metabolism which, in turn, stimulates the production of neurotransmitters and formation of new synapses. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that carry messages between nerve cells, and synapses are the connections through which this communication takes place. Thus, aerobic exercise protects the brain by lowering the risks of heart disease and stroke. However, further research is needed to establish whether or not the same effects can be achieved with any type of physical exercise.