Exercise Archives

Walking Improves Mental Processing??

Another snippet from Dr. Mercola's latest newsletter. The medical news, followed by his comments. This explains why when I really need to figure something out, I tend to walk and think. (or does it just suggest that I'm getting OLD!?)

Walking Improves Mental Processing

Small increases in aerobic fitness selectively improve mental fitness, particularly the so-called executive control functions of the brain, according to study results. Executive control functions -- such as the ability to plan, coordinate, schedule, as well as selectively focus
on information in the environment and ignore extraneous information -- typically show the largest decline with normal aging. The nice result of this study is that a person who has not been physically active during his or her younger years still can benefit from walking. Improved oxygenation of tissue through increased cardiorespiratory fitness translated into improved brain-blood flow, specifically to
the frontal and prefrontal areas of the brain that control executive control processes.

Nature July 29, 1999;400:418-419.

Dr. Mercola's COMMENT: The study found benefit with 45 minutes of walking 3 days a week. Walking is an incredibly powerful tool to stay healthy. Part of the reason this light form of exercise was found to be useful was the population that was studied. These were inactive 60-70 year old people. In this group, that small amount of activity will be highly beneficial. If you are younger and in better shape, a more intense form of exercise may be required. The 45-minute period is probably in the right area, but the frequency should likely be increased to 4-5 times per week. As one becomes progressively fit, one will require an increase in the intensity of the walking. I find that most of my patients who walk for exercise do not understand this basic concept. They will walk for months or years at the same rate. Clearly, this is better than not walking at all. However, adding some light jogging or faster paced walking will dramatically enhance the benefits. One can jog for a few hundred feet and then walk until recovered and continue that cycle for the 45-minute period. Eventually, one will be able to jog for longer and longer periods.

Follow Ups:

• Re: Walking Improves Mental Processing?? & Progressive Fitness explained (Archive under Exercise and Aging.) Nugget? Walt Stoll 12:22:26 8/09/99 (0)

In Reply to: Walking Improves Mental Processing?? & Progressive Fitness explained posted by RocketHealer Jim++ on August 06, 1999 at 02:20:00:

Thanks, RocketHealer Jim.

I was teaching my patients this in the middle '60s. It surely is great seeing it finally seeping into the public consciousness.

Walt