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Exercising in your 70s may stop your brain from shrinking and showing the signs of ageing linked to dementia, say experts from Edinburgh University.

In a research project funded by the charity AgeUK and announced in late 2012, experts found that elderly people who were most physically active had less brain shrinkage compared to people who did little exercise.

Exercise did not have to be strenuous – doing gentle exercise several times a week sufficed.

The study also found no real brain-size benefit from mentally challenging activities, such as reading, doing crossword puzzles or general socialising.

Exercise can reduce the risk of dementia

When the researchers examined the brain’s white matter – the wiring that transmits messages round the brain – they found that the people over the age of 70 who were more physically active had fewer damaged areas than those who did little exercise. And they also had more grey matter – the parts of the brain where the messages originate.

Experts already know that our brains tend to shrink as we age and that this shrinkage is linked to poorer memory and thinking. Previous studies have also shown that exercise helps reduce the risk of dementia and can slow down its onset.

Increasing blood flow to the brain

Experts as yet do not know for sure why it is that doing exercise reduces your risk of developing dementia although one theory suggests that it is because exercise increases blood flow to the brain, delivering oxygen and nutrients to brain cells.

Regardless of why, experts say the findings are good news because exercise is an easy thing to do to boost health.

Dr Simon Ridley, head of research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “This study links physical exercise to fewer signs of ageing in the brain, suggesting that it may be a way of protecting our cognitive health.

“While we can’t say that exercise is the causal factor in this study, we do know that exercise in middle age can lower the risk of dementia later in life.

‘Never too late’

Prof James Goodwin, head of research at Age UK, said: “This research re-emphasises that it really is never too late to benefit from exercise, so whether it’s a brisk walk to the shops, gardening or competing in a fun run it is crucial that, those of us who can, get active as we grow older.”

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