Curtis Cripe on How Exercise Affects Cognitive Health
As we grow older, we start to notice changes in how we function – how easily we can balance on one foot, how fast we can run, and how easily we can learn new things. Of all the above changes, declining cognitive function may be the most bothersome. Curtis Cripe, an expert in psychology and bioengineering, sheds light on the crucial connection between physical activity and cognitive health. |
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One of the main questions in the study of aging is the extent to which decreased cognitive function is caused by aging itself and the extent to which it is due to disuse (physiologic) atrophy and diseases that are correlated with advancing age. If atrophy and disease are major contributors, then we can alter the slope of our functional slide by taking some steps to reduce our risk of disease and by exercising our bodies and brains.
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This question has been the subject of a lot of research. There is little debate that brain health is enhanced by taking care of overall health. This includes preventing diseases that can lead to strokes and other types of brain diseases.
And then there is exercise. According to Curtis Cripe, the benefits of exercise as a way to preserve and enhance physical and mental functioning as we age cannot be overstated.
There have been numerous studies supporting the belief that exercise matters. One line of research studies large populations, looking for correlations between exercise and various medical and functional outcomes.
The result of many of these epidemiological studies is that regular physical activity is associated with decreased rates of cognitive decline and, in some studies, reduced risk of dementia. A recent study followed thousands of older adults without dementia for several years and found that self-reported physical activity was associated with a much lower risk of being diagnosed with dementia. Further, the higher an adult's activity level, the lower the risk.
Curtis Cripe's professional and academic background spans several disciplines, including engineering, software development, psychology (health psychology and behavioral medicine), and bioengineering. He currently heads the research and development department at NTL Group. For similar blogs and articles, bookmark this link.
