In healthy adults the hippocampus — a part of the brain important to the formation of memories — begins to atrophy around 55 or 60. Now psychologists are suggesting that the hippocampus can be modestly expanded and memory improved by nothing more than regular walking.
In a study published on Jan. 31 in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences researchers assigned 120 healthy but sedentary men and women to one of two exercise groups. One group walked around a track three times a week, building up to 40 minutes at a stretch; the other did a variety of less aerobic exercises including yoga and resistance training with bands.
After a year brain scans showed that among the walkers the hippocampus had increased in volume by about 2 % on average; in the others it had declined by about 1.4 %.
All members and friends are invited to join St. John’s wellness ministry and improve their lives, their memory and their mental health while sharing great fellowship:
St. John’s “Walking Together” class meets every Monday night at 6:30 pm in Room 209 for approximately 45 minutes. All you need to bring are comfortable walking shoes.
“Stay Strong Stay Young” class for improving bone density, alance and strength meets every Tuesday and Thursday nights at 6:30 pm in Room 209. All weights are supplied.
Read the study at: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/08/health/research/08fitness.html?src=me&ref=general
