Physically Fit, Mentally Flexible: The Benefits of Exercise for Brain Health

Age-related changes in the brain can compromise cognitive function. However, in some cases, the brain is able to functionally reorganize to compensate for some of this loss. This talk will review the benefits of exercise on cognition in older adults and discusses a potential mechanism through which exercise may change

Speakers

Dr. Jennifer Heisz
Assistant Professor, Department of Kinesiology, and Associate Director (Seniors) Physical Activity Centre of Excellence, McMaster University

Start

October 5, 2017 - 12:00 am

End

Age-related changes in the brain can compromise cognitive function. However, in some cases, the brain is able to functionally reorganize to compensate for some of this loss. This talk will review the benefits of exercise on cognition in older adults and discusses a potential mechanism through which exercise may change the way the brain processes information for better cognitive outcomes. Specifically, older adults who are more physically active demonstrate a shift toward local neural processing that is associated with better cognition. The talk will also highlight practical tips for increasing physical activity to enhance brain and body fitness across the lifespan.

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The Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) and intensity

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