New publications
Light exercise can produce significant cognitive benefits
Last reviewed: 03.07.2025
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Daily physical activity, such as taking a short walk or playing with your children, can provide short-term cognitive benefits equivalent to rejuvenating your brain by four years. That’s the key finding of a study my team conducted and published in the journal Annals of Behavioral Medicine.
How the study was conducted
To begin our study on diet and dementia risk, we asked 204 middle-aged adults from different social groups to complete a survey five times a day for nine days using a smartphone app.
- Each survey included a short questionnaire in which participants reported their mood, food choices, and physical activity over the past three and a half hours.
- In addition, participants completed short cognitive tests, including tasks on information processing speed and short-term memory, that lasted about one minute.
Research results
Information processing speed:
- We found that cognitive processing speed scores were improved if participants reported being physically active before the survey.
- Although no improvements in working memory were observed, time to complete the memory task was also reduced, reflecting the positive effects of activity.
Activity intensity:
- Improvements were observed regardless of whether the activity was light or moderate/vigorous intensity.
- This allowed us to conclude that movement, regardless of its nature, is a key factor in achieving cognitive benefits.
Why is this important?
As we age, our physical and cognitive abilities slow. Research has long shown that regular physical activity has long-term benefits for brain health and a reduced risk of dementia. However, most research has focused on moderate- or vigorous-intensity activity, as recommended by the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.
However, our results confirm that any type of movement, including daily activity, can improve cognitive health in the short term.
Limitations of the study
- Participants self-reported their physical activity, which may have led to differences in perception. For example, some may have underestimated the intensity of their activity, such as walking.
- Future research could use wearable devices that can more accurately record the time and intensity of activity.
What's next?
- It's not yet clear whether these short-term cognitive benefits accumulate over time and lead to long-term improvements in brain health or a reduced risk of dementia.
- Our team is conducting further research to examine these relationships over longer time periods.
Objectives for future research
My team uses smartphones and wearables to collect data on how healthy lifestyle and cognitive health interact with age. This digital approach helps:
- Identify people at risk of cognitive decline.
- Finding new targets for dementia prevention.
Our research helps us better understand how everyday behaviors influence cognitive health and opens up opportunities for developing new prevention strategies.