Health experts say, if you want to keep the body healthy and fit, then it is most important that you exercise regularly. Exercise, whether moderate or vigorous, can benefit overall health. For people who make yoga-exercise routines, their cognitive ability ie the power of the brain to function, think-understand, and make decisions remains even with aging. But in a recent study, scientists have shared surprising information.
Until now, it has been believed that regular physical activity helps protect you from cognitive decline as you age, the researchers said. Even if you practice exercise and yoga daily, if you are not able to get enough sleep or suffer from insomnia, then all your gains can go in vain. Meaning if you have sleep-related problems, even if you exercise, it can affect mental health and cognitive ability.
If there is a problem with sleep, then the benefits of exercise can also be reduced.
The team of researchers has told about this in the study published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity Journal. For this, cognitive function was studied for 10 years in 8,958 people aged 50 and over in England. The research team also looked at the participants' physical activity and sleep quality during this time.
The scientists found that people who were more physically active but got less sleep (less than six hours on average) experienced faster cognitive decline. Based on this, scientists say that along with regular exercise, good sleep is also very important for health.
Emphasis has been on good sleep in earlier studies as well
Previous studies also found a link between sleep and cognitive functions. A 2019 study published in the journal Sleep found that people who get a good night's sleep have better cognitive abilities.
People who were more physically active at the start of the study also had better cognitive function, regardless of how long they slept. However, a major change was observed in 10 years. As the quality and duration of your sleep decrease, so do the benefits you get from exercise.
What do researchers say?
Dr. Mikaela, Professor at the UCL Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care and lead author of the study, says: "Our research shows that to get the best cognitive benefits from physical activity, it is important that you also get enough sleep. This shows how important it is to consider sleep and physical activity. Study findings showed that regular physical activity, along with six to eight hours of uninterrupted sleep, can contribute to improved cognitive function.
To maintain a healthy lifestyle, we must ensure that we get enough sleep in our 50-60s, although this is applicable for all ages. As we age, our brain's abilities may decline. If the harmony of exercise and sleep is kept better, then the problems associated with aging can be reduced.
(PC: Freepik)
