Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Online Health Expert Medical News Flash: Virtual Exercise (Exergames like Wii Fit or PlayStation Move) May Improve Higher Mental (Brain) Functions Better Than Traditional Exercise in over 50s.

Online Health Expert News Report: According to the results of a 2 year study done on 101 volunteers 58 -99 years old, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine (January, 2012), Dr. Cay Anderson-Hanley, Assistant Professor at Union College, New York, found that Virtual reality enhanced interactive exercise (Cybercyclists)  yielded greater cognitive benefit and perhaps added greater protection (23% reduction in progression to MCI) against mild cognitive impairment (MCI) compared to traditional exercise.

Exercise could be linked to cognitive function via the increase in the blood levels of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Growth Factor (BDNF).

References and Further Reading:  

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Thank you for updating your medical knowledge at Online Health Expert.

Sincerely,

Dr. Harish Malik