Regular, moderate exercise may help improve memory in older people and delay the onset of dementia, a study in Australia shows.

The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, involved 170 participants aged 50 and over who reported some memory trouble but who did not have dementia.

Half engaged in moderate exercise, such as walking, for 50 minutes three times a week, while the others did no exercise. After six months, the participants were given memory and other tests, including recalling lists of words. Those who exercised fared markedly better than those who did not.

(China Daily September 4, 2008)