We were so excited to read of the recent findings in a study of inactive 55-80 year olds in the USA in a news report earlier this week. At one2oneFitness, we are well aware of the benefits of exercise for adults of all ages, so this was welcome news for many of our clients. You can read the full report below or visit the new site here:

Aerobic exercise can expand the brain and restore powers of memory lost with age, research has shown. One year of moderate exercise was found to increase the size of the hippocampus - a part of the brain vital to memory and learning - in a group of older adults.

Participants showed an improvement in spatial memory function. This is the kind of memory that helps us remember how to get to a certain place, or where we have left the house keys. Loss of spatial memory often becomes a problem in old age.

Scientists in the United States recruited 120 dementia-free sedentary people aged 55 to 80. Half were asked to start an aerobic exercise regime that involved walking around a track for 40 minutes a day, three days a week. The rest were taught stretching and toning techniques, but had no aerobic exercise.

At the end of a year, the aerobic exercise group showed an increase in the volume of the left and right hippocampus of 2.12% and 1.97% respectively. In those who did stretching exercises, the same regions of the brain had decreased in volume by 1.40% and 1.43%.

Spatial memory tests showed an improvement associated with the increase in hippocampus size.

Levels of a protein that plays a role in learning and memory, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), were also raised in participants who did aerobic exercise.

The findings are published in the journal Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences.

Research leader Professor Kirk Erickson, from the University of Pittsburgh, said: "We think of the atrophy of the hippocampus in later life as almost inevitable. But we've shown that even moderate exercise for one year can increase the size of that structure. The brain at that stage remains modifiable."

Co-author Art Kramer, director of the Beckman Institute at the University of Illinois, said: "The results of our study are particularly interesting in that they suggest that even modest amounts of exercise by sedentary older adults can lead to substantial improvements in memory and brain health. Such improvements have important implications for the health of our citizens and the expanding population of older adults worldwide."

Both Jan and Mark at one2one Fitness, are trained and qualified in many specialist areas including exercise for the elderly so for information on how we can help you feel fitter, contact one of our experienced team members on 01208 814040 today.