U. Pitt to study exercise and brain health

A University of Pittsburgh research team had received a $21.8 million grant from the National Institute on Aging to study how much exercise affects cognitive health. The phase III research will engage participants aged 65-80 in a comparative study of the effects of moderately strenuous exercise and simple stretching exercises for 150 to 255 minutes per week.

The teams hopes to learn whether the level and frequency of exercise affect cognitive health, and whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology is an accurate reflection of brain health changes.

“This study will more definitively address whether exercise influences cognitive and brain health in cognitively normal older adults, as well as understanding the mechanisms of physical activity on the brain,” said Kirk Erickson, PhD, lead investigator, in a university press release.

Nicole Stempak

Nicole was Senior Editor at I Advance Senior Care and Long Term Living Magazine 2015-2017. She has a Journalism degree from Kent State University and is finalizing a master’s degree in Information Architecture and Management. She has extensive studies in the digital user experience and in branding online media. She has worked as an editor and writer for various B2B publications, including Business Finance.