Exercise right to boost your brain health

Research consistently shows people with dementia who exercise regularly are more likely to maintain their cognition, ability to do daily tasks, and live in their own homes. How well the brain works is affected by blood and oxygen flow to the brain. This means that if your heart and cardiovascular system is working better, your brain will get more blood and oxygen. Physical exercise increases blood and oxygen flow to the brain, also improves cardiovascular health, and also helps you stay strong and mobile so you can go about daily life.

Aerobic exercise

When people think about exercise, they often think of aerobic exercise. These are exercises which raise your heart rate and get you panting. Jogging, swimming, cycling and brisk walking are all examples of aerobic or cardio exercises.

Aerobic exercise improves or maintains memory and thinking, and the daily function of people with dementia. Aerobic exercise also has other benefits on mood, sleep and physical health. There is evidence that anaerobic exercises (strength training), such as weights or pulleys, may be good or even better for the brain, as described below. You can also cross-train, incorporating both types of exercise.

Strength training

Strength training or resistance training are exercises which increase your muscle strength. Strength-based exercises include lifting weights, using exercise bands, or lifting your own bodyweight.

If you haven’t done strength training before, see a physiotherapist, exercise physiologist or personal trainer first. They will assess your abilities and develop a program suitable for you. You may have to pay privately for these services, and the best way to find someone suitable is to ask for a recommendation from your doctor, other health professional or friends. Seniors exercise classes may also include some strength training.

Flexibility

Maintaining flexibility as we age is important. An exercise program needs to include moving joints and stretching muscles to help us move easily and avoid injury. Exercises such as yoga, tai chi, dancing or bowls can help maintain flexibility.

Balance

Our ability to balance or recover when we are thrown ‘off balance’ reduces with age. Poorer balance means we are at a greater risk of falls and injury.

Balance exercises involve safely challenging your ability to balance with sideways walking, heel raises and (safely) practicing finding your ‘toppling point’ – the point just before you lose your balance and increase the time you can hold this pose. Balance and strength go hand in hand. You need to work on them both. Research has shown that even very old and frail people will improve quickly with regular practice.

Falls prevention

People with dementia fall more often than people of the same age without dementia. Falls prevention programs usually incorporate strength, balance and flexibility exercises. These programs also suggest changes you can make around your home to reduce your risk of falls.

Find a local falls prevention/exercise program in your state or territory:

• New South Wales: Active and Healthy
• Queensland: Stay on your feet
• Victoria: Victorian falls directory
• South Australia: Falls South Australia
• Tasmania: Stay on your feet
• Western Australia: Stay on your feet
• Northern Territory: Darwin and Palmerston falls prevention

Start slow and build up gradually

Australian physical activity guidelines suggest older adults do at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity on most, preferably all, days. Moderate intensity means you’re exercising hard enough to raise your heart rate and break a sweat. If you currently don’t do much exercise then start slowly. You might start by doing a 15 minute walk a few times a week. Then build up to walking for longer and more often.

The Australian physical activity guidelines also recommend different types of activity each week. Do exercise that you enjoy, you’re much more likely to continue with the exercise if you enjoy it. Many people prefer to exercise with others. You might join a seniors movement class, play golf (more benefits if you walk rather than driving in a golf buggy), or have a regular walking date with a friend.

• If you have health conditions, talk to your doctor before starting to exercise for advice about what’s safe for you to do. If you feel faint, dizzy or pain, stop and talk to your doctor.

Exercise as part of everyday activities

Some people prefer to incorporate exercise into their everyday activities. You might walk up the stairs rather than take a lift, or walk rather than drive to the shops, or do the vacuuming or gardening.

If it is difficult for you to get out and about, read our recent blog post: Options for keeping physically active at home.

For more information you can also visit Exercise Right Week.