Elderly people who get about by walking are less likely to suffer mental decline or even dementia, a study says.
Brain scans revealed that older people walking between six and nine miles a week seemed to have more brain tissue in key areas.
The study by the University of Pittsburgh of 299 people suggested that there was less “brain shrinkage”, which is related to memory problems.
The research was reported in the journal Neurology.
The volunteers, who had a mean age of 78, were checked for signs of “cognitive impairment” or even dementia.
The Pittsburgh team also had access to the brain of the test results of four years earlier, which measures the amount of “gray matter” in their brains.
This is found in various parts of the brain and is known to decline in many people as they age.
Each of them had been questioned in his 60 years on the number of city blocks walked per week as part of their normal routine.
The results showed that those who walked at least 72 blocks – six to nine miles – a week had a greater volume of gray matter.
Four years after the scans, 40% of the group had measurable cognitive impairment or even dementia.
Those who walked more than half as likely to have these problems compared with those who walked less.
Dr. Kirk Erickson, who led the study, said: “If regular exercise in middle age could improve the health of the brain and improve thinking and memory in old age, would be one more reason to exercise regularly in people of all ages a public health imperative. ”
Susanne Sorensen, of the Alzheimer’s Society, said the study was further proof that the health of the heart could lead to a healthy brain.
She added: “One of the benefits of this research is that it eliminates the impact of other socio-economic factors can play and focuses specifically on walking instead of more general exercise.
“Although a link was found between lack of exercise and brain shrinkage, more research is needed to find out what physical activity can affect the brain.
“The best way to reduce your risk is to exercise regularly, eat healthily, not smoking and lowering blood pressure and cholesterol checked.”