If you thought that offering your elders a nice armchair and a well-deserved rest was the best of ideas (because, after all, they've earned some quiet time), we regret to inform you that you were mistaken. What we all need as we get older is physical exercise and keep fitTo maintain mobility and overall health? Of course. But also to preserve our cognitive function; that is, to keep our minds healthy. 

An article published by the scientific journal Nature Portfolio analyzed the influence of physical fitness on maintaining cognitive function in older adults and its ability to slow cognitive decline. And their results were clear. Let's take a look. 

The best way to preserve cognitive function 

The results of the study show that maintaining good physical fitness has a close relationship with the quality of life of older people and with their cognitive function, specifically with regard to domains related to language ability, attention, and processing speedThese clear and compelling conclusions should encourage everyone, regardless of age, to take care of their diet and exercise to maintain their mental agility to the fullest.  

To reach these conclusions, the study brought together thirty experts who analyzed data from more than 6,000 men and women between the ages of 55 and 75. All the people studied were obese or overweight and met at least three characteristics of the so-called metabolic syndrome, although it should also be added that they did not suffer from any cardiovascular or neurodegenerative problems. 

To make the analysis conclusive, verbal ability, attention, and memory were studied in relation to various parameters. For example, the proximity of the participants' diet to the Mediterranean diet, their limitations, and the physical activity they engaged in. The latter was the factor found to be crucial in keeping their minds fit. 

Achieving well-being means gaining quality of life 

It's generally considered normal for cognitive function to decline over time. We're talking about memory ups and downs, slower processing capacity, and difficulties with some aspects of language (such as when someone takes a while to find the right word for what they want). But this development doesn't have to be severe, and, as the study indicates, physical activity helps people maintain good cognitive function. 

To all this, we must add that maintaining good physical fitness also means promoting mobility, autonomy, and general health. The combination of these factors ultimately creates a virtuous cycle from which the older person benefits. 

Did you ever imagine that physical fitness could be a tool for cognitive decline? Share this article with anyone you think might find this information useful! 

Fountain: Lidia Daimiel, Miguel A. Martínez-González, Dolores Corella, Jordi Salas-Salvadó, Helmut Schröder, Jesús Vioque, Dora Romaguera. Physical fitness and physical activity association with cognitive function and quality of life: baseline cross-sectional analysis of the PREDIMED-Plus trial.

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