Skipping this exercise at the gym could be bad for your brain

"In a recent article for Vogue, California-based physician Dr. Chris Renna said: "Stronger leg muscles are linked to better cognitive function in aging mainly through their effects on blood flow, metabolic health, brain structure, and physical/social activity patterns." Muscle mass starts to decline at age 30. As the largest muscle group in the body, maintaining muscle strength in the thighs and glutes is especially important for healthy aging-and apparently, brain function."

"A 2015 study of over 300 female twins, ages 43 to 73, found the more powerful their legs (measured by pushing one foot as hard and fast as possible against a pedal), the better their cognition a decade on (measured by a series of tests on memory and processing speed). Another study of 1,500 older adults, with an average age of 70, conducted in 2018, also found an association between stronger legs and better performance on tests of their cognitive function."

"A separate study also in 2018, this time conducted on mice, found exercising the lower extremities to be critical to brain and nervous system health. Researchers discovered that neurological health depends as much on signals sent from the leg muscles to the brain as it does the other way around. This offers an explanation for why patients with neurological diseases experience rapid decline once their movement becomes limited."

Stronger leg muscles correlate with better cognitive function in aging through improved blood flow, metabolic health, brain structure, and increased physical and social activity. Muscle mass begins to decline around age 30, making thigh and glute strength particularly important for healthy aging and maintaining brain function. A 2015 study of over 300 female twins found greater leg power predicted better cognition ten years later. A 2018 study of 1,500 older adults also linked stronger legs with superior cognitive test performance. Animal research in 2018 showed lower-extremity exercise supports brain and nervous system health via bidirectional signaling, explaining rapid decline when movement becomes limited.

Read at Fast Company