For long-term brain health, older adults may need to think carefully about how they spend their downtime, according to new research.
Researchers at the University of South Australia assessed the 24-hour activity patterns of around 400 people aged over 60.
When it comes to brain health, research has found that the context and type of activity an individual engages in matters, the news agency SWNS reported.
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According to a study published in the Journal of Gerontology Series A, some sedentary behaviors are better for cognitive function than others.
Research shows that mentally stimulating activities such as reading, listening to music, praying, crafting, playing a musical instrument, and social activities such as chatting with others are beneficial for memory and thinking skills.
Mentally stimulating activities such as reading, listening to music, praying, crafting, and playing an instrument can benefit memory and thinking skills, a new study suggests. (St. Petersburg)
The research team cited “valuable insights” that could help reduce cases of cognitive impairment. Researchers noted that more passive activities, such as playing video games or watching TV, do not provide the same benefits as activities such as reading or praying.
The World Health Organization estimates that more than 55 million people worldwide have dementia. Additionally, 10 million new cases are diagnosed each year.
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University of South Australia researcher Dr Madison Mellow said not all sedentary behavior was the same when it came to memory and cognitive health.
“The context of an activity changes how it relates to cognitive function, with different activities providing different levels of cognitive stimulation and social engagement.” (St. Petersburg)
“In this study, we found that the relationship with cognitive function changes depending on the context of the activity, with different activities providing different levels of cognitive stimulation and social engagement,” she said.
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As reported by SWNS, she said scientists “already know that physical activity strongly protects against the risk of dementia, and this should be a priority if you're looking to improve your brain health.” Ta.
“Even a small five-minute exchange can go a long way.”
“But until now, we have not directly examined whether replacing one sedentary activity with another sedentary activity can benefit brain health.”
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She continued, “And while the message 'move more and sit less' certainly applies to cardiometabolic and brain health, our research shows that sedentary behavior is linked to cognitive function. It shows that we need a more nuanced approach when thinking about relevance.”
It's also wise to “prioritize movements that are fun and get your heart rate up,” she says.
And, “Even small 5-minute swaps can go a long way.”
“A more nuanced approach is needed to consider the link between sedentary behavior and cognitive function.” (St. Petersburg)
As previously reported by Fox News Digital, a recent study published by the RAND Corporation in California found that some major illnesses that occur around age 60 and can lead to cognitive impairment and dementia by age 80. Predictive factors were also identified.
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Researchers evaluated 181 potential risk factors, including demographics, socioeconomic status, lifestyle and health behaviors, health history, and psychosocial factors.
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According to RAND, the list of predictors includes “not exercising at all'' and “low involvement in hobbies.''
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The findings suggest that “maintaining good physical and mental health is not only beneficial for staying in shape, but also for maintaining mental clarity and slowing cognitive decline.” study co-author Peter Hadmiet, an economist at Randland, Calif., told FOX News Digital.
Fox News Digital's Melissa Rudy contributed reporting.
