Cognitive Fitness: How HIIT and Interval Training Can Work Out Your Brain

While exercise like yoga, swimming, and other methods of sporting can bring great benefits to your bodily health, if you’re looking to help your brain, short bursts of high-intensity exercise followed by low-intensity movement might be your best bet. 

In the study, 151 healthy adults aged 65-86 were enrolled in a six-month exercise program that sought to assess function in the hippocampus, the area of the brain linked to memory and learning.  

All of the participants were randomly assigned one of three half-hour exercise routines: balance and stretching, walking on a treadmill, or four HIIT cycles on a treadmill, which involved four minutes at 85-95 percent of a person’s maximum heart rate followed by a recovery period. 

For six months, the participants engaged in their assigned 30-minute workouts three times a week. On repeat testing, the HIIT exercisers showed positive changes in hippocampus functions compared to when they began the study—and five years later, upon a follow-up evaluation, the HIIT group retained that improved cognitive function. 

But no matter the type of exercise, getting your body moving can provide multiple benefits to your brain, ensuring you continue to lead your active and independent lifestyle for as long as possible. 

Cognitive Function and Hearing Loss 

Your brain’s functioning capabilities have a direct impact on your hearing, too—your ears do a lot more for you than you think! 

When we hear information, our ears take in sound waves that our brain converts to electrical signals we perceive as sound. If an individual struggles with hearing loss, the disconnect between ears and brain leads to a loss of information, and they forget what was said or fill in gaps with incorrect content. 

Undiagnosed hearing loss has a massive effect on your risk of dementia. With the help of exercise and comprehensive hearing care, your brain will thank you for your diligent care. 

If you’re looking for comprehensive hearing care to accompany your new motivation to exercise, you’re in the right place. Your hearing health and cognitive health are in safe hands with our team of professional audiology experts.