Supplanting Only 7 Minutes of Stationary Conduct Consistently Could Lift Midlife Intellectual ability

 Replacing just seven minutes of sedentary behavior with light physical activity every day could lead to improved brain power when you’re in mid-life, according to a new study from the University of Cambridge.

The study, which looked at the effects of light physical activity on cognitive function, found that replacing just seven minutes of sedentary behavior with light physical activity could have a measurable impact on brain power. Specifically, it could lead to improved episodic memory, which is our ability to remember events and experiences.

The research team recruited more than 4,200 healthy adults aged between 35 and 55 from the UK, France, and Germany to take part in the study. 

Participants answered questions about their physical activity levels, including how much time they spent each day engaging in light physical activity, moderate physical activity, and vigorous physical activity.

The team found that replacing sedentary behavior with light physical activity was associated with improved episodic memory. The greatest benefit was seen when light physical activity replaced seven minutes of sedentary behavior per day. Surprisingly, replacing sedentary behavior with either moderate or vigorous physical activity was not associated with improved cognitive function.

The researchers say that the findings could have significant implications, particularly since current guidelines for physical activity recommend that all adults should “do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity, or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity, or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity activity throughout the week.”