A brisk walk, dancing, or climbing a few flights of stairs can improve memory for up to 24 hours, a new study suggests. Exercise boosts blood flow to the brain and stimulates the release of neurotransmitters—effects already known to provide a short-term boost to cognitive abilities.
Now, new research indicates that these benefits may extend beyond just a few hours, writes the Danish media outlet Nyheder24.
The Study
In the study, 76 participants aged 50 to 83 wore activity trackers for eight days and completed daily memory tests. Those who engaged in more moderate to intense physical activity than usual performed better on memory tests the following day.
Dr. Mikaela Bloomberg from the UCL Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, lead author of the study, commented on the findings:
"Our findings suggest that the short-term memory benefits of physical activity may last longer than previously thought—possibly until the next day rather than just a few hours after exercise," she explained.
She added, "In addition, it appears that more sleep—especially deep sleep—may enhance this memory improvement. Moderate to vigorous activity means anything that gets your heart rate up. It could be brisk walking, dancing, or climbing stairs. It doesn’t have to be a structured workout."
However, she cautioned that the study was relatively small and the results need to be confirmed with a larger participant pool.
The Role of Sleep and Sedentary Behavior
The study also found that participants who spent less time sitting and got six or more hours of sleep performed better on memory tests.
Co-author Professor Andrew Steptoe from UCL emphasized the significance of these findings:
"Among the elderly, maintaining cognitive function is important to ensure a good quality of life, well-being, and independence. Therefore, it is useful to identify factors that may affect cognitive health on a daily basis," he said.
"The study provides evidence that the immediate cognitive benefits of exercise may last longer than expected and suggests that good sleep quality also contributes to better cognitive performance."
Long-Term Implications
While the findings suggest short-term boosts to cognitive performance, the researchers note that it is still unclear whether these benefits contribute to long-term cognitive health.
"Although there is strong evidence that physical activity can slow cognitive decline and reduce the risk of dementia, this remains a matter of debate," added Steptoe.
The results of the study were published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity.
