Get rhythm to train your brain
To stay alert as we age, we should be taking the advice from Strictly to ‘Keep dancing…’ more literally, says a new study. Following volunteers aged 65-plus over 18 months, the study compared the effects of dancing with endurance training. The researchers found that while both had an anti-ageing effect, only the dancing led to a noticeable difference in hippocampal plasticity in our brains, which has a direct effect on improved balance. Researchers believe these results are down to the fact that dancing isn’t only about physical exertion, but also involves the challenge of learning a dance routine. Turn to p92 for toetapping ideas.