Exercise in older people is associated with a slower rate of decline in thinking skills that occurs with aging. People who reported light to no exercise experienced a decline equal to 10 more years of aging as compared to people who reported moderate to intense exercise, according to a population-based observational study published in the online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
“The number of people over the age of 65 in the United States is on the rise, meaning the public health burden of thinking and memory problems will likely grow,” said study author Clinton B. Wright, MD, MS, of the University of Miami in Miami, Fla., and member of the American Academy of Neurology. “Our study showed that for older people, getting regular exercise may be protective, helping them keep their cognitive abilities longer.”
Health Secrets of a SuperAger 
This makes all the sense in the world. My dad’s cognitive decline went into hyperdrive almost immediately after he slowed down.
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I think the word ‘retirement’ is a real problem for seniors. After a lifetime of working, the body and brain don’t need to shut down. But, that’s what the culture seems to suggest. I think a sedentary lifestyle is worse than smoking.
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Agreed.
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It’s clear to us, as in my wife and me, that exercise and diet are crucial for extending the ‘senior’ years in a healthy manner. I totally agree that a sedentary lifestyle is most unwise. Not sure it’s as bad as smoking but I get the message!
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I think most people are aware that smoking is bad and avoid it, but they aren’t aware how bad it is to not exercise, so it sneaks up on them.
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