A recent study from University College London (UCL) reveals that exercise can enhance cognitive performance, particularly memory, for up to 24 hours after physical activity. The research involved 76 participants aged 50-83, who wore wrist activity trackers over eight days to monitor their physical activity levels and sleep quality.
The findings indicate that moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, such as jogging or cycling, significantly improves memory performance the following day. Participants who engaged in more physical activity scored better on tests assessing episodic and working memory.
Additionally, the quality of sleep, especially slow-wave sleep, was linked to improved memory scores, independent of physical activity levels. Conversely, participants who were more sedentary exhibited poorer memory performance.
This study underscores the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle as we age and suggests that the cognitive benefits of exercise may be more prolonged than previously understood, potentially offering insights for future research on neurodegenerative diseases like dementia.
The study was published on January 17, 2025, by Mikaela Bloomberg, Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at UCL.