Two hours of brisk walking a week may help boost brainpower in women at risk of dementia

A six-month study, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, found that exercise increased the size of the area of the brain involved in learning and memory, in women with early memory problems.

The Canadian researchers said that undertaking regular physical activity was beneficial at any age. They  examined the effect of different types of exercise on the size of the hippocampus because of its sensitivity to ageing and neurological damage.

he trial involved 86 women, aged between 70 and 80 years, with mild memory problems, known as mild cognitive impairment – and a common risk factor for dementia.

They were assigned to twice weekly hour long aerobic sessions of brisk walking; or resistance training, such as lunges, squats, and weights; or balance and muscle toning exercises .

The size of their hippocampus was measured at the start and the end of the six months.

Altogether 29 of the women had before and after MRI scans, which showed the hippocampus was significantly bigger in those completing six months of aerobic training compared with balance and muscle toning exercises.

Scientists hope that enlarging the hippocampus through aerobic exercise could help prevent cognitive issues, like Alzheimer’s disease, in later life

The women’s verbal memory and learning capacity was assessed before and after using a recognised test and there was some evidence it worsened as the hippocampus got bigger.

Study leader Dr Teresa Liu-Ambrose, of the Department of Physical Therapy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, said the relationship between brain volume and cognitive performance was complex, and needed further research.

It was concluded that  aerobic exercise appears able to slow the shrinkage of the hippocampus and maintain the volume in a group of women who are at risk of developing dementia.