Staying Active in Your 40s and 50s Tied to Sharper Thinking Decades Later
Graded Moderate — meta-analysis of 15 observational cohort studies with 33,295 adults, though all relied on self-reported activity and pooled results varied substantially across studies.
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- 33,295
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This study suggests midlife physical activity is associated with better cognitive function in later years.
Pooling data from eight studies covering over 33,000 people, researchers found that higher physical activity in midlife was linked to modestly better memory, mental processing speed, and overall thinking ability later in life. The effects were small but consistent across multiple cognitive domains. However, the results for executive function and verbal fluency weren't meaningful. Almost all studies relied on self-reported exercise, and only one looked at men and women separately.
Disclaimer: Research summaries are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your health routine.
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