Local News

Study: Power walking could be good for aging brains

By Mallika Marshall, MD

November 17, 2022 / 5:38 PM EST / CBS Boston

BOSTON – A new study finds that power walking could be good for our brains.

As we age, it becomes more difficult for blood to flow freely in and out of the brain which can lead to lower levels of oxygen and nutrients and a build-up of toxins.

But researchers looked at 73 people between the ages of 60 and 80 and found that a half-hour of aerobic exercise four to five times a week for a year resulted in improved brain blood flow. Simply stretching and toning did not.

The researchers say this improved blood flow could result in better brain health.

Boston

Mallika Marshall, MD

Mallika Marshall, MD is an Emmy-award-winning journalist and physician who has served as the HealthWatch Reporter for CBS Boston/WBZ-TV for over 20 years. A practicing physician Board Certified in both Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Dr. Marshall serves on staff at Harvard Medical School and practices at Massachusetts General Hospital at the MGH Chelsea Urgent Care and the MGH Revere Health Center, where she is currently working on the frontlines caring for patients with COVID-19. She is also a host and contributing editor for Harvard Health Publications (HHP), the publishing division of Harvard Medical School.

Twitter Facebook