There are plenty of reasons to stay in shape as you get older. Exercise can help maintain a healthy weight and keep muscles strong.
Most of the research shows that aerobic exercise has huge benefits for your brain health as well as your heart health. But we’re also starting to see some studies beginning to show that other types of exercise can really benefit your brain as you age.
Step one is that first step. A 30-minute walk, five days a week, will help you meet the minimum CDC recommendations for older adults, but one study links the biggest boost in brainpower to longer sessions of 45 minutes to an hour.
Getting your heart rate up seems to maximize the cognitive benefits. But it’s not just about aerobics. One study that looked at older women found that those who had stronger, more powerful legs retained more of their brain’s grey matter, which could be a sign of more robust cognitive health as you age.
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