Study Shows that Brief, Intense Workouts Over 6 Months May Help Prevent Cognitive Decline

A study conducted by Australian scientists revealed that just six months of high-intensity interval exercise could enhance cognitive function in older adults for up to five years.

The study, led by researchers at the University of Queensland’s Brain Institute, involved a group of healthy adults aged 65 to 85 who participated in a six-month exercise program.

After undergoing cognition testing and high-resolution brain scans, the volunteers were followed up five years later, showing improved cognition even if they had stopped exercising after the study.

Emeritus Professor Bartlett stated that six months of high-intensity interval training could have long-lasting benefits on cognitive health.

The research, published in Aging and Disease, compared the effects of low, medium, and high-intensity exercise on cognition.

Low-intensity exercise focused on balance and stretching, medium-intensity exercise involved brisk walking, and high-intensity exercise included running at near-maximum exertion on a treadmill.

Participants were randomly assigned to one of these exercise regimes and attended 72 sessions over six months, supervised by exercise physiologists.

Prior research by the team showed that exercise could stimulate stem cells and increase neuronal production in the hippocampus, improving cognition.

Impact of High-Intensity Exercise on Cognition

Research fellow Daniel Blackmore from the Queensland Brain Institute noted that only high-intensity interval exercise led to significant cognitive improvements lasting five years, along with structural changes in the hippocampus and altered blood biomarkers associated with better cognition.

Mr. Blackmore emphasized the potential for these findings to shape exercise guidelines for older adults and mitigate the risk of dementia.

Further exploration of different exercise types and their integration into aged care is underway, alongside investigations into genetic factors influencing the response to exercise.

The study underscored the importance of addressing age-related cognitive decline, with the potential to impact millions worldwide.

Additionally, a review published in the Journal of the American Medical Association highlighted a weak association between physical activity and cognitive function, suggesting the need for further high-quality studies with longer follow-ups to solidify the evidence base.