Can playing games fight off dementia?
Physical activity shown to improve brain health
Cognition disorders, those affecting learning, memory, and perception, affect 5% of older adults and seniors over 65 years of age, and that rate increases up to 25% in those over 85 years of age. Dementia is the most common of these disorders, leaving many older adults unable to function independently in society. Many of us have watched friends and family suffer from dementia, and know the toll it takes on the individual and those around them. We all want to stay independent and healthy, participating in life and all it’s adventures, so we want to do everything we can now to keep our brains as healthy as possible, for as long as possible.
Our physical health has shown to be a predictor of our cognitive flexibility and brain health as we age - a lower physical strength is associated with decreased cognitive performance. So physical exercise isn’t just important for our muscles, it’s also important for our brains. And it doesn’t always have to be about lifting weights either - physical activity for an 85 year old can look different to physical activity for a 55 year old - the key here is movement and participating in activities that engage us both physically and mentally.
A 2019 Iranian study looked at the effect of participation in physical activity (in the form of games), on cognitive function in older adults. In Iran it was found that more than 68% of older adults and seniors over the age of 60 weren’t participating in any physical activity during the week, and it was having a significant negative effect on the health among older adults in that country.
The study took 50 older adults, ranging in age from 61-83 years old, and had them participate in 12 physical activity sessions, two per week for six weeks, lasting approximately 75-90 minutes. Activity stations were in the form of games - they used drawing, hula hoops, foam, balls, walnuts, and tic tac toe, to engage participants by combining physical and mental activities.
After the six week period researchers assessed again each of the older adults and seniors who had participated in the games - the change in their cognitive function was significant and positive. Improvement was seen in general memory, verbal and visual memory, working memory, and attention, showing a definite increase in brain health in a short space of time. Compared to those who did not participate in the games, researchers also saw other improvements in the older adults, in terms of their willingness to participate and their sense of belonging, as the sessions progressed.
Taking part in physical exercise, whether it be group activities or playing with your grandchildren, has a lasting positive effect on your brain health, and your ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle. So make sure you look after your health by signing up to a regular exercise program, and saying yes next time your grandkids ask you to play ball with them.
Hedayati M, Sum S, Hosseini SR, Faramarzi M, Pourhadi S. Investigating the effect of physical games on the memory and attention of the elderly in adult day-care centers in Babol and Amol. Clinical Interventions in Aging. 2019;14:859-869.
Our physical health has shown to be a predictor of our cognitive flexibility and brain health as we age - a lower physical strength is associated with decreased cognitive performance. So physical exercise isn’t just important for our muscles, it’s also important for our brains. And it doesn’t always have to be about lifting weights either - physical activity for an 85 year old can look different to physical activity for a 55 year old - the key here is movement and participating in activities that engage us both physically and mentally.
A 2019 Iranian study looked at the effect of participation in physical activity (in the form of games), on cognitive function in older adults. In Iran it was found that more than 68% of older adults and seniors over the age of 60 weren’t participating in any physical activity during the week, and it was having a significant negative effect on the health among older adults in that country.
The study took 50 older adults, ranging in age from 61-83 years old, and had them participate in 12 physical activity sessions, two per week for six weeks, lasting approximately 75-90 minutes. Activity stations were in the form of games - they used drawing, hula hoops, foam, balls, walnuts, and tic tac toe, to engage participants by combining physical and mental activities.
After the six week period researchers assessed again each of the older adults and seniors who had participated in the games - the change in their cognitive function was significant and positive. Improvement was seen in general memory, verbal and visual memory, working memory, and attention, showing a definite increase in brain health in a short space of time. Compared to those who did not participate in the games, researchers also saw other improvements in the older adults, in terms of their willingness to participate and their sense of belonging, as the sessions progressed.
Taking part in physical exercise, whether it be group activities or playing with your grandchildren, has a lasting positive effect on your brain health, and your ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle. So make sure you look after your health by signing up to a regular exercise program, and saying yes next time your grandkids ask you to play ball with them.
Hedayati M, Sum S, Hosseini SR, Faramarzi M, Pourhadi S. Investigating the effect of physical games on the memory and attention of the elderly in adult day-care centers in Babol and Amol. Clinical Interventions in Aging. 2019;14:859-869.