Describe the Positive Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Cognitive Functioning

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The Answer is The answer should include the following information: Correlational studies have long suggested a positive relationship between physical activity levels and cognitive functioning among the elderly. However, with correlational studies, it's not possible to determine causation. That is, it is not clear whether the physical activity causes better cognitive functioning, or if more cognitively alert seniors are just more likely to engage in physical activity, perhaps because they are more alert. Recently, researchers used an experimental design to determine whether or not exercise could cause cognitive improvement among elderly volunteers who had not been physically active for more than 30 minutes in the past six months. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups that met three times per week for a year. One was the stretching and toning group, which worked on exercises such as resistance training and yoga. The other was the aerobic exercise group, which started with 10 minute walks and progressed to 40 minute walks over the course of the year. Results indicated that both groups improved on measures of spatial memory. In terms of hippocampal volume (the size of the area of the brain that deals with memory), the stretching and toning group declined in volume, while the aerobic exercise group increased in volume, which is roughly equivalent to reversing two years of tissue loss. Thus, aerobic exercise is neuroprotective, defending brain tissue from age-related deterioration. Even a simple exercise program such as walking three times per week can significantly improve cognitive ability and brain health, even in elderly participants.

Describe the Positive Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Cognitive Functioning

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