Women who were more active as teenagers are less likely to experience memory problems later in life, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
While many trials have found that exercising later in life can the lower the risk of developing memory disorders, such as Alzheimers disease. However, in order to find out what effects physical activity may have on teenage girls, researchers surveyed more than 9,300 female volunteers about their activity levels at four different ages in life.
The team discovered as teenagers, 15.5 percent of participants stated they didnt exercise, 29.7 percent reported the same as age 30 years, 28.1 percent at 50 years old and 21.1 percent later in life. After considering several variables, including smoking, depression and body mass index, researchers found that physical activity as teenagers affected cognitive function the most later in life.
The researchers concluded that exercising has a positive impact on cognitive function, and can prevent developing hypertension, obesity and type 2 diabetes, which are all linked to an increase developing memory disorders.
Currently, one in eight people in the U.S. aged 65 years and older have developed Alzheimers disease, the most common type of cognitive degenerate disorders, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.