Don't just sit and rock!

[libby]

Didn't know where to put this, so decided to start a new topic here.  Of course we are all young in body and mind  , but one of these days ....

"Energetic exercise may dramatically lower dementia risk for older people

The Question: Being physically active has been linked to a litany of health benefits, often related to preventing heart problems. Might exercising regularly have a similar effect on the brain?

This Study: analyzed data on 876 older adults (average age, 78) who were participating in a long-term study on cardiovascular health. Periodic assessments included brain scans, a variety of standardized neurological and cognitive tests, and evaluations of physical activity, including time and energy expended on such activities as swimming, hiking, calisthenics and aerobics. People who regularly generated the greatest energy output regardless of the type of physical activity had larger brain size, or gray matter volume -- especially in areas that affect memory and cognition -- than those who were less active. The researchers estimated that this correlated to as much as a 50 percent reduction in risk for the dementia of Alzheimer's disease.

Who may be affected? Older adults. About 5.3 million Americans -- the vast majority of them older than 65 and two-thirds of them women -- have Alzheimer's disease. No cure has been found for the progressive brain disorder, which robs people of their memory and thinking abilities along with their ability to live independently. The brain shrinks dramatically in people with Alzheimer's,  prompting research into whether maintaining brain size may help prevent development or progression of Alzheimer's and other dementias.

Caveats: Some of the data came from the participants' responses on questionnaires. Factors not accounted for also may have affected brain size.
...."
To learn more about Alzheimer's disease at nia.nih.gov/alzheimers

-- Linda Searing
www.washingtonpost.com

comment by libby: I happen to believe that there is more in our noggins than the physical brain; I think we also have a soul or subconscious mind that is not physical, so lots of exercise might not make us smarter -- just healthier -- so we maybe can LIVE until we die, with a modicum of dignity.

[Locutus]

There's nothing at all wrong with exercise.  The benefits are quite numerous. 

[Palehorse]

There's nothing at all wrong with exercise.  The benefits are quite numerous.

And very soon our employers will assign squadrons of physical terrorists to march you through a daily circuit training regimen in order to ensure you remain available to them until age 69 or 70; where the retirement goal line is going to. . . 

(Sorry Libby. I took us off into the deep weeds right out of the gate. . . ) 

[libby]

No, no, PH. Don't be sorry. I want comments.  Other points of view. You, too, Locutus.  I am one who needs exercise, both physically and emotionally. I have a hot temper and have learned from experience to get up and walk away before my mouth gets me in trouble. Example: One time I took something a doctor I worked for said as derogatory, and knew when I felt my temper rise that I had to get out of there. So I did. Walked out the door and down the street. After about 10 minutes of fast walking I had calmed down enough to remember that I'd left my purse in the office so would have to go back and get it. Luckily for me, as I turned back, a friend, a nurse, came running  after me and said, "Dr. G. said he was sorry and to please come back." I did and he apologized and so did I.

[Palehorse]

For me it becomes an issue of time.

Between the daily commute and time actually spent at the salt mine, my typical workday is 12-16 hours long; averaging right at 14 hours. That leaves me about 2 hours to do chores, eat dinner, and come here to post to with my cyber-friends. (Sorry, here lately you folks have been getting the crappy end of the stick too).

Now, I know it's an excuse in the view of your typical fitness junkies. I already get up at 0400 every week day. So it becomes an issue of whether or not I should get up at 0300 in order to do a few laps around the neighborhood before the 3 S routine and commute to work. . . And in order to do that I will have to lose an hour of sleep, which is already hard fought for and not easily won at my age. (Insomnia your are a heartless and cruel mistress and I wish to be shed of you!)

I do what I can, when I can though. Example: I walk across our 3 block wide campus in order to speak to individuals, rather than call them on the phone of page them. I only use the electronics in emergency situations. My average daily walking distance hovers around 5 miles; but there are days when that is substantially less due to mandatory incarceration within meeting rooms for hours at times some days.

I also recently purchased a push mower, and am working my way toward mowing all of my properties manually instead of on a tractor. Again, there are times when life makes demands upon me that require I get this chore done in an expedient manner, so rather than trying to jog behind the mower in 90+ degree heat, I will be forced to ride the tractor sometimes. (Weekend excursions to the zoo, fishing trips, birthday parties, or mandatory family cook outs with my grandchildren are not optional).

Bottom line is this; if my employers would kindly stick to the 45 hour work week they expect at a minimum from me, I'd easily be able to make time to engage in some vigorous exercise every single day. . . But I don't see that happening anytime soon. 

[AbbyTC]

I think the study may have some merit. But I think it's like anything.  There are some people who live a healthy lifestyle (exercise, food, stress level, etc) that still end up with cancer or heart problems or strokes. There really isn't any guarantee; we try our best and hope for the best.

My own personal experience agrees with the study.  My deceased ex mother-in-law never exercised.  She was overweight, couldn't bend over to tie her shoes, became so out of shape and lazy that if something fell on the floor she had a long armed claw to reach things, and watched TV all day.  She didn't eat right and ended up with cancer and dementia. This is how she spent the last 10 years of her life; the last 2 years bedridden.  My deceased ex-father-in-law (they were divorced) watched the news, mowed, went for walks, read, and was sharp as a tack before he died.  My grandparents were similar to my in-laws--she never exercised and ended bedridden with dementia while he was on the go at age 90. She lived until she was 92, but was bedridden for the last year and the years preceding that she only wanted to sit around and watch TV.  He would putter around his mini-vineyard and make wine. He'd watch the news and loved to debate about any issue. Proof that exercise will prevent dementia and other health ails? No definite proof, only correlation.  But I'm going to continue to exercise, read, think, engage my brain and hope I got my grandfather's genes!

[AbbyTC]

I do what I can, when I can though. Example: I walk across our 3 block wide campus in order to speak to individuals, rather than call them on the phone of page them. I only use the electronics in emergency situations. My average daily walking distance hovers around 5 miles; but there are days when that is substantially less due to mandatory incarceration within meeting rooms for hours at times some days.

PH, I think it's great that you can get around 5 miles while you are at work.  That will definitely help.  The rage at the library for management staff is stand up desks.  I read somewhere that sitting all day can shorten your life around 35% or something like that, and even standing is better for you.  I'm a lowly administrative assistant, so I don't get one.    So I do like you do.  Visit people at their offices when I need to (although some seem never to be there so I have no choice but to email) and take walking breaks when I have reports to do.  We have a staff only stairwell that I'll go up and down 5-6 times, or I'll do a circuit around the first and second floors.  I kept my phone on me (it keeps track of my steps) and one day I did about 2 1/2 miles which is pretty good since our library is on the small side.  I am fortunate to work steady hours so I try to get out and walk about 4 miles at least 4 times a week.  Although the weather's shitty right now so that doesn't look it will happen this week.

[Palehorse]

PH, I think it's great that you can get around 5 miles while you are at work.  That will definitely help.  The rage at the library for management staff is stand up desks.  I read somewhere that sitting all day can shorten your life around 35% or something like that, and even standing is better for you.  I'm a lowly administrative assistant, so I don't get one.    So I do like you do.  Visit people at their offices when I need to (although some seem never to be there so I have no choice but to email) and take walking breaks when I have reports to do.  We have a staff only stairwell that I'll go up and down 5-6 times, or I'll do a circuit around the first and second floors.  I kept my phone on me (it keeps track of my steps) and one day I did about 2 1/2 miles which is pretty good since our library is on the small side.  I am fortunate to work steady hours so I try to get out and walk about 4 miles at least 4 times a week.  Although the weather's shitty right now so that doesn't look it will happen this week.

Thats great! Some of my staff members are retired military, and one of them is a professional body builder, self defense instructor in his own business, (Combative MMA Academy), and trains fighters. Of course, he works 8 hour days and no weekends so he has the time.

All we can do is what we can. 

[Purplelady1040]

I believe that a person has to want to exercise and eat foods in moderation. It isn't easy but I walk as much as possible.

[The Troll]

I believe that a person has to want to exercise and eat foods in moderation. It isn't easy but I walk as much as possible.

  I wonder if it is all that good.  We had a member here on the Zone and she ran all over the place and ate all of the right food and she has disappeared.      Has anyone heard from Sandy Eggo.   

[Purplelady1040]

  I wonder if it is all that good.  We had a member here on the Zone and she ran all over the place and ate all of the right food and she has disappeared.      Has anyone heard from Sandy Eggo.   

I haven't heard from her. Hope she is okay. Yes, some people can eat all the right foods and still get sick. My late mom ate Fried eggs every other day and other foods that I am sure most doctors would shudder at people and she died of cancer. She didn't drink, smoke or do drugs and she still developed cancer. Same with my father.

[libby]

  I wonder if it is all that good.  We had a member here on the Zone and she ran all over the place and ate all of the right food and she has disappeared.      Has anyone heard from Sandy Eggo.   

I sure do miss her. She was one of the originals way back when the Bluefield Daily Telegraph posting board joined Hey Martha.

[Palehorse]

I sure do miss her. She was one of the originals way back when the Bluefield Daily Telegraph posting board joined Hey Martha.

She's still around but busier than ever. . . I hear from her every now and again, and remind her that she has all but abandoned her cyber family here. . . 

[libby]

She's still around but busier than ever. . . I hear from her every now and again, and remind her that she has all but abandoned her cyber family here. . . 

Thank you!

[Purplelady1040]

She's still around but busier than ever. . . I hear from her every now and again, and remind her that she has all but abandoned her cyber family here. . . 

Thanks PH for the information on Sandy. Tell her she is missed.