250. Exercising and playing games helps the brains of older women
Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career.
Exercising and playing games appears to benefit the brain health of older women. In a new study published in the journal Neurology, researchers at the University of California, San Diego examined over 750 older adults using brain scans and tests of thinking speed and memory. They analyzed cognitive reserve, or the brain’s ability to withstand the effects of diseases like Alzheimer’s without showing a decline in thinking or memory skills. Women who reported more physical activity had greater thinking speed reserve, which wasn’t observed in men. Women who read, took classes and played games more frequently showed a greater memory reserve as well.
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
