Stand doing physical activity is good for the over 60s, even better it makes them dance. Doctors and scientific studies say it and repeat it: moving and keeping fit helps to keep a good mood And It also helps keep the brain trained.
Dancing is good for the over 60s
But if this belief is held to be correct in general, specifically there are physical activities that do better than others.
It is on this that the research of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, in the United States, was concentrated, later published in the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity.
Greater benefits than walking
Dancing is good for the elderly much more than walking. This is the thesis of a new American study
Scholars have taken into consideration the dance and they compared it to walking on the treadmill and involved 25 people over 65.
Volunteers were randomly assigned, for a period of 6 months, Ballroom dance lessons twice a week or walk on treadmill 2 times a week.
Aerobics and sociability: a winning combination
Previous research had already suggested that dance has beneficial effects on cognitive function in the elderly: but in the case of ballroom dancing, there is not only the aerobic part, there is also the social one.
And that would be it to improve cognitive functions it’s at reduce brain atrophy in the elderly who have a higher risk of dementia.
Improve information processing
The results were good for both groups they have improved attention, reasoning and planning skills. But for those who had danced, the improvements had been greater.
Especially compared to the processing speedi.e. the time required to respond or process the information.
Being around other people is good for the elderly
Advantages which, the authors write in the study, are due precisely to the fact that dance, in addition to being physically demanding, like walking, it is also socially and cognitively so.
Indeed, «to learn new dance moves or adapt to the movements of the dance partner» the large network of brain regions that is activated is greatly strengthened say the scientists.
Who, although convinced by the results obtained from the tests that group dances are «a path to ward off dementia», however they believe that they are «more studies are needed to make this thesis a scientific truth».
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