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quote: Originally posted by JoelJarlow:
Are there good things we can do for our brains? Staying mentally fit is really important to me, as I know it is to most people in my generation. I’ve heard physical exercise and brain fitness are interrelated, so I’ve been keeping up on that, but does anyone do brain exercises? Do they work?
Ok, this is the second (at least) post on this. Since you didn't spam with the question, I'll assume you are serious. Here's what an article in the NY Times has to say on "Brain Training": quote: In the United States, consumers are expected to spend $80 million this year on brain exercise products, up from $2 million in 2005. Advertising for these products often emphasizes the claim that they are designed by scientists or based on scientific research. To be charitable, we might call them inspired by science — not to be confused with actually proven by science...
It goes on to talk about a better option: quote: One form of training, however, has been shown to maintain and improve brain health — physical exercise. In humans, exercise improves what scientists call “executive function,” the set of abilities that allows you to select behavior that’s appropriate to the situation, inhibit inappropriate behavior and focus on the job at hand in spite of distractions. Executive function includes basic functions like processing speed, response speed and working memory, the type used to remember a house number while walking from the car to a party.
And then the authors, the Editor in Chief of Nature Neuroscience, Sandra Aamodt, and Sam Wang, an associate professor of molecular biology and neuroscience at Princeton sum it all up with a simple prescription: quote: So instead of spending money on computer games or puzzles to improve your brain’s health, invest in a gym membership. Or just turn off the computer and go for a brisk walk.
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| Posts: 693 | Location: Kansas, USA | Registered: June 17, 2005 |  |
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do buyilng crossword puzzles or other puzzle books constitute buying brain exercise products? i have always maintained that if you don't use it you lose it.
We are the people our parents warned us about.
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This topic is everywhere. A lot of people joke about their “senior moments,” but lately more and more people have asked for suggestions about how to stay on the ball. Some of the info on the internet is kind of hard to sift through, but there have been some promising developments with computer-based cognitive exercises. I turned up some interesting information on a brain fitness program from a company called Posit Science, it was proven effective by a full-fledged clinical trial (the IMPACT study, I think). I think stuff like that is really exciting – of course physical exercise is important, too.
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quote: Originally posted by Gruvholmes:
This topic is everywhere. A lot of people joke about their “senior moments,” but lately more and more people have asked for suggestions about how to stay on the ball. Some of the info on the internet is kind of hard to sift through, but there have been some promising developments with computer-based cognitive exercises. I turned up some interesting information on a brain fitness program from a company called Posit Science, it was proven effective by a full-fledged clinical trial (the IMPACT study, I think). I think stuff like that is really exciting – of course physical exercise is important, too.
You are right. I know some very sharp 80 year olds and some mentally sluggish guys in their 50's. As a generality, the sharp ones do seem be more engaged with what goes on around them other than what is on TV. They also seem to be physically active and seem to pay a bit more attention to what they eat. |
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| Posts: 227 | Location: South Carolina | Registered: May 05, 2007 | |
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As stated above- crossword puzzles are good. Fitness helps blood flow to the brain, keeping it accute I think. Take a class at a local community college, try something new. Learn a language. I've always enjoyed German, although I think I can ask where the train station is, and that's about it. Robert Duvall is involved with dancing (ballroom or Salsa) with his 33 year old wife. There is a lot of stuff we can do to keep the mental faculties sharp. I do not think that sitting and watching the tube is one of them though. Unless it's No Reservations. Bourdain makes me howl. O43
Nothing tastes as good as the feeling of being fit...- M. Douglass McGuff
When I was growing up I knew I wanted to be thin, tan and rich...Anthony Bourdain
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| Posts: 88 | Location: Mountains | Registered: September 10, 2007 | |
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quote: Originally posted by Gruvholmes:
This topic is everywhere. A lot of people joke about their “senior moments,” but lately more and more people have asked for suggestions about how to stay on the ball. Some of the info on the internet is kind of hard to sift through, but there have been some promising developments with computer-based cognitive exercises. I turned up some interesting information on a brain fitness program from a company called Posit Science, it was proven effective by a full-fledged clinical trial (the IMPACT study, I think). I think stuff like that is really exciting – of course physical exercise is important, too.
I looked up that study (and there are a lot by that name on all kinds of topics), and while it does look promising, a single study is a poor reason to adopt a policy or practice. Especially when the study looked at a product that is fairly expensive - save your money until there is a follow up or two.
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| Posts: 693 | Location: Kansas, USA | Registered: June 17, 2005 | |
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