What is the combined effect of physical and mental training?

In conclusion, it is too early to tell how to best combine brain training and physical training, but the bulk of the research so far strongly suggests that they both have measurable positive effects on cognition and brain health. Aerobic physical exercise can improve attention and executive functions as well as reverse brain volume loss. It usually takes 6 months or so to see such benefits. Brain training can bring steady and sustained cognitive gains after 10 to 15 hours of training, although the gains do not generally transfer to many untrained tasks. And let’s remember that population studies have also repeatedly shown that people who participate in mentally stimulating leisure activities throughout their life have healthier brains, higher cognitive functioning and lower risks of dementia over the long run.Simply put, the more we exercise our bodies and our minds, the better.References:Barnes, D.  E., et al. (2013). The Mental Activity and eXercise (MAX) Trial:  A Randomized Controlled Trial to Enhance Cognitive Function in Older Adults. JAMA Internal Medicine, 1–8. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.189.Oswald, W., et al. (2006). Differential effects of single versus combined cognitive and physical training with older adults: The SimA study in a5-year perspective. European Journal of Ageing, 3, 179–192.Shatil, E. (2013). Does combined cognitive training and physical activity training enhance cognitive abilities more than either alone? Frontiers in Aging Neuroscien...
Source: SharpBrains - Category: Neurologists Authors: Tags: Cognitive Neuroscience Health & Wellness aerobic-exercise Brain-Training cognifit cognition cognitive-decline Cognitive-Training computerized brain training mental-exercise Physical-Exercise Source Type: blogs