Those who Exercise in their Twenties have Sharper Brains during Later Years: Study

Exercising during youth can impact thinking skills and mental abilities in later years, according to a study.

Researchers from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis found that maintaining physical fitness in the younger years can protect against mental health disorders and loss of cognitive abilities in later years. Their study involved 2700 men and women aged between 18 and 30. Experts recorded participants' fitness and endurance levels at seven different times in the 25-year period. They were given the treadmill test and other variables like cholesterol levels, diabetes and smoking habits were taken note of.

At the end of the trial all subjects underwent tests that measured their verbal memory, psychomotor speed or physical movements to perform intellectual tasks and execution skills. It was found that people who were physically fit during their younger age scored higher in memory tests and reaction speed compared to those who never exercised.

Simple exercises like running and bicycling improve cardiac functioning and allow sufficient supply of blood and oxygen to the brain preventing diseases like Alzheimer's, dementia and decline of thinking and analytical skills. The study adds evidence to past researches on mid and late -life mental health that is directly affected by one's cardiovascular health, blood pressure and sugar levels during younger ages.

" This study is significant in that it shows an association between cardiovascular fitness in one's youth and having better thinking skills at a later age. These findings are likely to help us identify dementia at an earlier age and, consequently, prevent or treat those at high risk of developing it," said David R. Jacobs Jr, study author and professor of public health at the University of Minnesota, according to Live Science.  Jacobs adds that fitness levels at 25 determine brain health at 50, reports Reuters.

The American Heart Association recommends a minimum of 150 minutes of weekly exercise like running, jogging and swimming to keep heart diseases at bay. The authors suggest that people start exercising early and incorporate healthy lifestyle habits to cut the risk of mental diseases, memory loss and poor thinking in later years.

More information is available in the journal Neurology.