Save your brain by strengthening your legs.
Here are a few bullet points from a recently published study by Claire Steves et al from Kings College in London about leg power and brain function.
1. Leg power is correlated with cognition over a 10 year period
2. Leg power also correlated with total gray matter in the brain.
3. Fasting blood glucose and diabetes status were other variables associated with cognition.
So, if you want to maintain your brain function over time, stop eating donuts and get your legs in shape.
One simple program is to walk more often and more vigorously.
The other is considering starting the PowerKnee Program. This is a simple program that activates your primary leg muscles, stretches your hamstrings and uses an exercise bike to strengthen all of your lower extremity muscles. I have been recommending it to strengthen knees but now the data is clear. Strengthen your knees and you will also strengthen your brain.
The QuadCrunch helps to activate the quadriceps muscle. (From the PowerKnee Program)
The results of Steves' study are important because they were conducted in twins over more than a decade. This means that it is more likely that improved leg power results in better cognition because they controlled for genetics in addition to a variety of other factors.
AM
Total Tendon
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