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.
"While there are a few studies showing that aspects of mild cognitive impairment might be improved with these types of hand exercises, I would put forward that there is nothing magical about these movements," said neurologist Dr. Chris Winter. Hand exercises are a way to practice motor skills, which can be beneficial for maintaining cognitive abilities as we age. But it might be a stretch to suggest that specific movements are going to remove your risk of developing dementia or Alzheimer's disease.
As we age, many of us experience subtle changes in our mental clarity-we can't remember a name, we experience difficulty multitasking, or we forget where we left our keys. For decades, scientists have believed that cognitive decline was an inevitable part of growing older, a process termed " age-related memory impairment." But what if this cognitive decline is preventable, or even reversible?
