Here's how engaging in household chores may improve brain health
Chores done can be beneficial for brain health in older adults, according to a new study. The study found that older adults who spent more time doing household chores had larger brain sizes, which is a powerful predictor of cognitive health. The results of the study were published in the journal BMC Geriatrics. "Scientists already know that exercise has a positive effect on the brain, but our study is the first to show that housework can do the same," said Noah Koblinsky, lead author, exercise physiologist and project coordinator at Baycrest's Rotman Research Institute (RRI). Koblinsky added, "Understanding how different forms of physical activity contribute to brain health is critical to developing strategies to reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia in older adults." In this study, researchers examined the relationships between household chores, brain volume, and cognition in a group of 66 cognitively healthy older adults living in the communit