Recent study links having fitter legs with a healthier cognitive function. Researchers at King's College London have unearthed that "muscle fitness as measured by power in the legs is strongly associated with an improved rate of ageing in the brain".
Jointly funded by the NIHR and the Wellcome Trust, the research findings suggest that simple interventions, such as frequent routines focused on the legs as well as increased levels of walking, help to enhance leg power. This enables you to improve your cognitive health - allowing your brain to function better in the long run.
Published in Gerontology, the study highlighted the power in one's lower body as measured by force and speed, could be a "direct indicator of better cognitive function as he gets older". With a sample size of 324 healthy female twins from the TwinsUK volunteer registry, scientists were able to control various health and lifestyle predictors for genetic factors affecting changes in cognitive function.
Medical Daily stated on its bulletin that They found that leg power was a better predictor of cognitive change than any other lifestyle factor they looked at. Whichever twin had more leg power at the start of the study had an easier time sustaining their cognition and suffered fewer cognitive changes associated with aging after the 10 years of follow-up.
Thus, there were previous studies that already identified that physical activity can have a beneficial effect on the ageing of the brain, showing that "exercising muscles releases hormones that can encourage nerve cells to grow".
"Everyone wants to know how best to keep their brain fit as they age. Identical twins are a useful comparison, as they share many factors, such as genetics and early life, which we can't change in adulthood," Dr. Claire Steves, lead researcher and senior lecturer in the said institution said.
More so, the team also recommends conducting further studies and tests related to their findings to better understand the relationships between one's physical activity and his brain structure and cognition.
Watch this video to learn some leg exercises to help you achieve health and wellness.
