Walking Wise

In a study funded by the National Institute on Aging, 120 people ages 55 to 80 were divided into two groups, with half instructed to walk for 40 minutes a day three times a week. The other half did exercises to stretch and tone their muscles.

After six months, and then one year, the scientists measured the size of participants’ hippocampus, a section of the brain that tends to shrink with age.

In the walking group, the volume of the hippocampus had increased by 2 percent at the end of the year, while in the other group the hippocampus had decreased by 1.5 percent.

So whatever your age, remember that taking a brisk walk can keep you healthy throughout your life in many different ways.

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