ReachMDOne Type of Physical Activity Protects the Brain More Than Others, Study Finds

4,500 people were tracked using 24-hour monitors for 7 days. Activity levels were studied to determine the effect on short-term memory, problem-solving, and processing skills. As little as six to nine minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity when compared to sitting, sleeping, or gentle activities yielded higher cognition scores. Cognitive improvement was modest, but increasing time spent in energetic activity increased the measured benefits.