Personal Health

Sports protects the gray matter of the brain

Scientists from the German center for Neurodegenerative diseases have found that endurance training slows the decline in gray brain matter. Who showed in the study, a good Fitness of the cardiovascular system, had a larger brain volume, and gray matter, which is the mental performance is important.

In the meantime, there is plenty of evidence that exercise and brain health are related. Scientists from Greifswald, Germany, have now demonstrated with 2,013 adults aged 21 to 84 years, that a high maximum oxygen uptake during Cycling on the home trainer – a signs of a good cardio-respiratory Fitness – with the volume of gray brain matter is connected.

This suggests that endurance training may contribute to the improvement of brain health and to slow the decline of grey matter. Experts believe that it is particularly significant that these results were achieved even in older adults.

Healthy life style nützt Fitness

"This is another part of the puzzle that shows that exercise and physical Fitness prior to the age-related cognitive decline schützen", the study’s author, Dr. Michael Joyner said. "There is good epidemiological evidence, as well as new data demonstrating that physical activity and Fitness are associated with improved function of the brain blood vessels."

In addition to movement, other factors contribute to a good cardio-respiratory Fitness. These include: Not Smoking, healthy eating habits, a normal body weight, avoiding high blood pressure and a high cholesterol level as well as a reduction of the blood glucose can damage the heart and other organs.

ZOU