DOES EXERCISE HELP MEMORY? A NEW IMPROVES OUR UNDERSTANDING of exercise and memory. I often write about the numerous benefits of regular physical activity. Do you want to reduce your risk of developing chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer? What about mental health?
But what about exercise and cognitive function? Does physical activity have health benefits for particular elements of brain function, such as memory? I hope the answer is yes so I can misplace my electronic devices less frequently.
A new Dartmouth (USA) study examined the relationship between exercise intensity and various recall forms. You already know that exercise is effective, but what is the right dose? How can you and I optimize our physical activity program?
Exercise improves memory
Exercise studies have historically been challenging, as tracking physical activity has been difficult. In addition, variables such as sleep, whether one is sedentary at work, and diet can be confounding.
With modern activity trackers, we have a more objective way to measure an individual’s physical activity rather than relying on self-reporting.
Researchers recently analyzed a year’s worth of data using an activity tracker (Google’s Fitbit) for 113 subjects. Each study participant completed a battery of memory evaluations, including tests targeting spatial details, foreign language terms, random words, and details from a short story.
Here are the primary research findings after researchers examined the individuals’ exercise volume, intensity, and performance on memory tests:
Active people had better memories compared to sedentary individuals. , but also found that the types of tests they did well on varied depending on how intensely they exercised.
Let’s get a bit more granular:
- Moderate activity (for example, regular walking) appeared to be associated with better episodic memory. Think of episodic memory as “mental time travel”; remembering details about everyday events, such as meeting a friend at the local coffee shop for breakfast.
- More intense activity (running or going a high-intensity interval training workout) is associated with better performance on spatial memory tasks. Spatial memory involves remembering the physical relationships between locations or objects in space. Remembering where you put your keys is a good example.
My take — Physical activity and memory
Individuals who exercised more intensely — doing activities such as running or HIIT workouts — had a higher probability of performing better on spatial memory tasks. While numerous other studies demonstrate how high-intensity exercise improves memory, the current story offers insight into how it might be particularly helpful for spatial memory.
Of course, we need validation studies. In addition, this study shows a correlation between physical activity and particular memory types but does not demonstrate causality.
The researchers agree that we need more studies to solidify these associations and determine what is causing them. Does the exercise change memory, or do those who tend to get physical activity to have a better memory?
The study authors are appropriately cautious at putting their results in the association category, even as they concede that a large prior literature provides insights about potential causal effects.
One particular strength of the current study is that it looked at longer-term physical activity. The researchers also examined a variety of tasks and mental health dimensions.
We target particular exercises to certain muscle groups. Might we someday target particular cognitive functions with prescribed physical activities? The study hints at an exciting future for cognitive improvements via physical activity. Now I need to visit my home gym to enhance my ability to find my keys.
Thank you for joining me in this look at the question: Does exercise help memory?
The information I provided in this blog is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you seek medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. I am not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information in this blog.
