When we think of the side effects of working out, it's typically improved heart health, weight loss and maintenance, and added muscle. But the benefits go beyond better abs, arms, and glutes in the short term. Turns out one type of exercise, in particular, has a positive lasting effect on overall brain health.
High-intensity interval training, better known as HIIT.
A recent study published in Aging and Disease discovered those who engaged in HIIT saw improvement in hippocampal function for up to five years after the start of the intervention.
Because the hippocampus is responsible for memory (especially your ability to hold short-term memories), learning, and emotion, keeping it healthy is essential for staving off age-related cognitive issues such as dementia and Alzheimer's.
During a six-month testing period, researchers followed 151 people aged 65 to 85 as they participated in one of three exercise interventions: low- (LIT), medium- (MIT), and high-intensity interval training (HIIT). Throughout the allotted time period each participant attended 72 supervised exercise sessions.
After the initial study, cognitive testing for hippocampal performance and blood collection occurred regularly for up to five years. During this time, MRI scans were taken at the end of every six- and 12-month period.
Related: Just One HIIT Workout a Month Has an Impact
According to the research, the MRI from the HIIT group showed this type of training significantly improves and prolongs the hippocampal-dependent cognitive health for up to five years after the start of exercise.
Researchers believe the sustained improvement confirms that exercise-based interventions, such as the one these individuals participated in, can provide significant protection against hippocampal cognitive decline in the aged population. They also suggest that the changes in specific blood factor levels may be useful biomarkers for choosing the optimal exercise regimen to promote cognitive improvement.
While the hippocampus isn't solely responsible for age-related cognitive decline, it is one of the first places doctors turn to when someone is showing signs of dementia and Alzheimer's.
For example, 2022 research published in 3 Biotech, suggests that in the early stages of Alzheimer's, the hippocampus shows rapid loss of tissue in the area, which is associated with functional disconnection from other parts of the brain. Thus, finding ways to avoid deterioration is vital.
Although research linking healthy lifestyle habits—like a clean diet and exercise—to a lessened risk of dementia and Alzheimer's, more research is needed to determine their efficacy.
