Varied and Mindful Physical Activity Linked to Enhanced Physical Reasoning in Adults
A new study published in the journal Ageing International suggests that the variety and mindfulness of physical activity, rather than just the sheer volume, are crucial for improving planning and physical reasoning abilities in both young and older adults. Researchers Lucy Hancock, Kaneezah Begum, and Ori Ossmy of Birkbeck, University of London, used an unsupervised machine-learning approach to analyze physical activity profiles of 200 adults (100 young adults aged 20-39 and 100 older adults aged 60-88). They found that participants engaging in diverse activities and mindful practices like yoga performed better on cognitive tasks such as the Towers of Hanoi (planning) and Virtual Tools (physical reasoning). This cognitive advantage was consistent across both age groups, challenging the conventional view that only moderate-to-vigorous aerobic activity provides cognitive benefits. The study highlights that activities combining physical execution with strategic demands, such as dance or martial arts, may stre... 
