Cardio in your 20s may help to protect the brain as you move into middle age, a new study suggests.

The study investigated whether greater cardiorespiratory fitness was associated with better cognitive function 25 years later. Researchers at the University of Minnesota tested 2,747 healthy participants around the age of 25. They performed a maximal treadmill test in the first year of the study and again 20 years later to provide a measure of cardiorespiratory fitness. However, they only assessed cognitive function 25 years after start of the study, where they measured verbal memory, psychomotor speed and executive function.

They found better verbal memory and faster psychomotor speed at the ages of 43 to 55 years to be associated with better cardiorespiratory fitness 25 years earlier. Those with a smaller time difference between the two tests also had higher cognitive scores than those with a greater time difference, suggesting that cardiorespiratory fitness may play an important role in cognitive function.

There are many potential mechanisms behind this, however the link still remains unclear. Exercise may help to sustain brain function by maintaining blood flow and the supply of nutrients to the brain, as well as stimulating neuronal growth and reducing cortisol levels which also positively influence brain function and could delay the onset of conditions such as dementia. Regardless of the mechanism, exercise certainly seems beneficial for cognitive health.

However, as the study was observational it doesn’t determine that good cardiovascular fitness in your 20s will simply lead to better cognitive function in mid-life. Although the study adjusted for some confounding variables such as smoking and diabetes, there are also many other factors that could play a part in this relationship. For example, those with better cardiovascular fitness may lead a healthier lifestyle in general and exercise may not be the only variable leading to improved cognitive function.

Although this study identified the benefits of cardio earlier in life for improved cognitive function later in life, previous studies have also noted the benefits of exercise in later life for improved cognitive function, so it’s never too late to start.

Ultimately, the findings of this study suggest that cardio exercise such as running, swimming, cycling and cardio fitness classes may be beneficial for brain function. This adds further support to the growing evidence suggesting that exercise may also reduce cognitive decline and potentially have a protective effect against the development of dementia.

Adie Blanchard – Researcher

References

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Kamijo, K., Hayashi, Y., Sakai, T., Yahiro, T., Tanaka, K. et al. (2009). Acute effects of aerobic exercise on cognitive function in older adults. The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 64(3), 356-363.

Larson, E. B., Wang, L., Bowen, J. D., McCormick, W. C., Teri, L. et al. (2006). Exercise is associated with reduced risk for incident dementia among persons 65 years of age and older. Annals of Internal Medicine, 144(2), 73-81.

Laurin, D., Verreault, R., Lindsay, J., MacPherson, K., & Rockwood, K. (2001). Physical activity and risk of cognitive impairment and dementia in elderly persons. Archives of Neurology, 58(3), 498-504.

N. Zhu, D. R. Jacobs, P. J. Schreiner, K. Yaffe, N. Bryan, L. J. et al. Cardiorespiratory fitness and cognitive function in middle age: The CARDIA Study. Neurology.

Sofi, F., Valecchi, D., Bacci, D., Abbate, R., Gensini, G. F. et al. (2011). Physical activity and risk of cognitive decline: a meta‐analysis of prospective studies. Journal of Internal Medicine, 269(1), 107-117.

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