Can sitting boost your vocabulary?

There would possibly lastly be some excellent news for sofa potatoes. New analysis factors to a correlation between being sedentary and elevated vocabulary and cognitive perform, in folks over 60.

A examine by researchers at Colorado State University, printed within the peer-reviewed journal Psychology and Aging, discovered that older adults who sat for lengthy hours confirmed a rise in vocabulary, comprehension and reasoning abilities.

Even although “our earlier studies indicated that the brains of those who spend more time sitting may age faster, it seems that on the cognitive level, sitting time may also be meaningful,” lead creator of the examine Aga Burzynska mentioned in a information launch.

For the examine, 229 individuals aged 60 to 80 have been requested to put on motion sensors for seven days. Most individuals spent lower than 2.7% of their time in rigorous exercise. All have been then examined on 16 cognitive duties involving patterns, shapes, filling in blanks, and so forth.

The findings level to a rise in crystallised cognitive potential (CCA), the sort that’s achieved over time, with observe, collected data and expertise. Those that spent most of their time sitting confirmed a rise in CCA.

“We know that as we grow older, even if we do not have any cognitive impairments, people aged 60 and up already show some decreases in speed, executive functioning, and memory,” Burzynska mentioned within the launch. “This study was looking to understand how our behaviors and habits may correlate with cognitive outcomes in older age.”

The individuals who engaged in additional intense bodily exercise confirmed, as anticipated, “better speed, memory and reasoning abilities”. These capabilities discuss with the mind’s fluid cognitive potential (FCA), or basic intelligence.

The researchers, nevertheless, warn that these outcomes aren’t their approach of telling you to spend extra time sitting. But relatively to just be sure you are stimulating the mind in your sedentary time, by studying, writing, connecting with family and friends.

“Maybe sometimes think, ‘Yeah I’m going to go sit now and enjoy a really good book’,” Burzynska mentioned.