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Daily Steps Boost Brain Power, Research Shows
6 Nov
Summary
- Walking more steps daily improves sustained attention and cognitive control.
- Long-term, consistent physical activity is linked to better brain function.
- Each 1,000 extra steps daily shows modest cognitive performance gains.
Researchers have uncovered a significant connection between daily step counts and enhanced brain health. A study involving over 3,000 U.S. participants, aged 18 to 93, tracked physical activity and cognition over 14 years.
The findings revealed that individuals who consistently walked more steps daily, particularly those averaging around 8,875 steps, demonstrated better cognitive performance. Each additional 1,000 steps per day was linked to modest improvements in sustained attention, attention and cognitive control, and delay discounting.
Experts suggest that physical activity benefits brain networks by improving cardiovascular health, increasing brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), reducing inflammation, and improving blood sugar control. The study emphasizes that typical, long-term activity levels were more influential than short-term changes, pointing to the value of sustained engagement in physical activity.
While the study established a correlation, it noted that causation cannot be definitively proven due to its observational nature and single cognitive measurement point. However, the evidence strongly supports the role of physical activity in supporting everyday cognitive and brain health across the adult lifespan.
