Working up a sweat is the best way to fertilise your neurons and add fizz to your brain chemistry – you can find out why in our feature article "Run yourself smarter: How exercise boosts your brain". For a shortcut to a better brain, though, read on.
The researchers we talked to say that aerobic exercise is the most important – as opposed to strength training, stretching exercises or yoga. If you're fairly fit, the researchers recommend high-intensity interval training: this has been shown to give a huge, immediate boost in recall and sends a flood of neurotransmitters and growth hormones through the brain.
Don't think you're too old to start. Even a very gentle regime (such as walking for 30 minutes a few times a week for a course of six months) worked really well for a group of over-60s , who began to show similar brain connectivity to people decades younger, along with improved recall. The researchers are now investigating whether it's best to combine cognitive and physical exercise, with promising early results – so it certainly wouldn't hurt playing a brain teaser after taking a run.
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