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Experts agree that physical exercise is necessary for a healthy lifestyle, regardless of age. But the researchers from Albert Einstein College of Medicine also looked at whether physical activity contributes to mental agility in the New England Journal of Medicine.
During the course of the 21-year study, researchers followed more than 450 people over the age of 75, beginning in 1980. None of the participants suffered from dementia at the beginning of the study. Investigators tracked how many of the participants developed Alzheimers disease and other forms of dementia, and looked at what activities they had engaged in. The seniors who remained mentally active showed the least decline in mental acuity.
The researchers pointed out that most of the types of physical exercise they looked at did not appear to significantly reduce the risk of dementia in older adults, with one exception. Interestingly, the only physical activity out of the 11 that were studied that was associated with a significant risk reduction was dancing. It suggests that dancing may not be a purely physical activity and involves more mental activity than we realize. The benefit of mental exercise among seniors was seen in all of the participants, regardless of their intelligence.
This research adds to a growing body of evidence that exercising the mind reduces the chances of Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia related to old age.
Commentary on the research suggested that there is growing evidence that mental exercise may do more than forestall dementia, it may actually repair the brain, as well.
11:18:05 PM 
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