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3 Casually Basic Things People Who Want To Keep Their Brains Sharp & Strong Do As They Get Older
YourTango • • health
Key Points:
- Brain shrinkage occurs with age, particularly in learning and memory regions like the hippocampus and frontal lobe, decreasing about 5% per decade after age 40.
- Neuroscientist Dr. Kay Linker emphasizes that physical exercise, rather than mental puzzles, is key to slowing brain shrinkage and maintaining cognitive function.
- Exercising in heart-rate zone 2 (60-70% of max heart rate) for 90 minutes to three hours weekly boosts mitochondrial biogenesis, improving hippocampal function.
- High-intensity zone 5 exercise (90-100% max heart rate) for short bursts twice a week increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which supports neuron growth and maintenance.
- Playing racquet sports like pickleball or tennis stimulates the cerebellum and complex motor skills, benefiting brain health and correlating with longevity.
