Maintaining Fitness in Older Age Supports Brain Regions Involved in Word Retrieval

As we age, staying physically active can have significant benefits for brain health, particularly in supporting regions involved in language and word retrieval. Recent research published in the journal Neurobiology of Aging has demonstrated that moderate exercise can positively influence brain activity related to language, reducing the frequency of 'tip-of-the-tongue' moments—those frustrating experiences when you know what you want to say but can't quite retrieve the right word.

In the study, researchers employed MRI scans to examine the brains of 73 healthy adults aged 60 to 81, alongside assessments of their cardiorespiratory fitness through VO₂ peak testing, which measures how efficiently the heart, lungs, and muscles work during exercise. Participants performed language tasks, such as recalling words from definitions, while in the scanner. Findings revealed that, on average, older adults experienced tip-of-the-tongue states in about 1 in 6 attempts. Interestingly, those with higher fitness levels exhibited different patterns of brain activity that were associated with fewer instances of these word-finding difficulties.

Dr. Foyzul Rahman from the University of Birmingham commented that fitter older adults demonstrated more effective activation of language-related brain networks during word retrieval challenges, despite being broadly healthy. This suggests that physical fitness doesn't just benefit overall health but may also enhance specific brain functions related to language, possibly by helping the brain compensate for age-related changes.

The key measure of fitness used was VO₂ peak, which can be improved through moderate aerobic activities like brisk walking, jogging, swimming, cycling, or dancing. While younger adults typically have VO₂ peaks around 40 ml/kg/min, healthy older adults average closer to 28 ml/kg/min. Participants in this study had an average VO₂ peak of 27.55 ml/kg/min, aligning with typical norms for their age group. Importantly, each 1 ml/kg/min increase in VO₂ peak is associated with a 10-15% reduction in risk of mortality, highlighting the broad health benefits of maintaining fitness.

Senior researcher Dr. Katrien Segaert emphasized that engaging in about 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week—per current NHS guidelines—can be beneficial. Importantly, many participants were not athletes and were reasonably active, indicating that even moderate activity can positively impact brain health. However, the study does not establish causation, and further longitudinal studies are necessary to determine whether increasing physical activity directly improves language functions as we age.

Overall, this research underscores the importance of staying active to support cognitive functions, particularly language, during aging. Regular movement and aerobic exercise can not only promote physical health but also help keep your brain sharp.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-older-age-brain-regions-words.html