AsianScientist (Jul. 17, 2011) – Exercising as little as once a week might improve both memory and the ability to process information quickly in stroke victims, says a new study from the University of South Australia.
The study, investigating the effect of regular aerobic exercise on thinking and memory skills in people following a stroke, was recently completed by Dr. Michelle McDonnell, from the Sansom Institute for Health Research.
“We were testing the notion that exercise is not only good for the body but also the brain and the results have been very promising,” McDonell said.
“We studied the ability to do things like remembering words or adding up numbers in people who had suffered a stroke and were taking part in regular exercise. Over the five month period of the study we have found solid evidence of improvements in memory and information processing for those participants engaged in regular exercise,” she said.
Stroke is the leading cause of morbidity in Australia, with more than 300,000 Australians living with this devastating type of brain damage. On top of problems with walking and talking, more than two-thirds of stroke sufferers also experience problems with thinking and memory skills.
McDonnell says that exercise may increase blood circulation to the brain and alter connections between nerves that are interrupted by a stroke.
“We believe exercise might actually encourage re-wiring of the brain so we’re keen to continue our research with people who have suffered a stroke,” she said.
McDonnell is looking for adults aged between forty-five and eighty who have suffered a stroke to take part in further research.
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Source: University of South Australia.
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