photo: Ed Yourdon/Creative Commons
DCL
Here's reason 406 why you should get out there and walk more often, now: According to research published in the journal Neurology (highlighted by BBC News), elderly people who walk regularly—as in six to nine miles a week, as part of their normal routine—are less likely to suffer from mental decline as they age and are less likely to suffer from dementia.
The study done by researchers from the University of Pittsburgh studied current brain scans of volunteers, whose average age was 78, and ones taken four years previously, checking for signs of cognitive impairment. Over the four year difference, 40% of the group developed measurable signs of impairment or dementia.
However, those which walked the most were half as likely to have these mental problems.
As for the optimum amount to walk, in regards to warding off mental decline, the study suggests that you need to walk at least 72 blocks a week (six to nine miles). The study found that walking more, while good for the body, did not provide additional cognitive benefits.
This study backs up previous research which shows that regular exercise can decrease the risk of developing Alzheimer's.
Dr Kirk Erickson makes the connection with public health policy:
If regular exercise in midlife could improve brain health and improve thinking and memory in later life, it would be one more reason to make regular exercise in people of all ages a public health imperative.
Like we needed another study to tell us that exercise and moving the body were good for it in myriad ways... The thing that strikes me is how our current construction of cities and communities making walking a decidedly unpleasant or inconvenient experience in many places, intersecting with more sedentary jobs and poor nutrition/rising obesity rates, could result in more mental problems for future generations.
Walkable communities and personal physical health are not only good for your body and the planet's body, but are good for the brain and mind as well.
