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Dancing Reduces Risk Of Dementia A 21-year study of senior citizens, 75 and older, was led by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City, funded by the National Institute on Aging, and published in the New England journal of Medicine. The study wanted to see if any physical or cognitive recreational activities influenced mental acuity. They discovered that some activities had a significant beneficial effect. Other activities had none. They studied cognitive activities such as reading books, writing for pleasure, doing crossword puzzles, playing cards, and playing musical instruments. And they studied physical activities like playing tennis or golf, swimming, bicycling, dancing, walking for exercise and doing housework. One of the surprises of the study was that almost none of the physical activities appeared to offer any protection against dementia. There can be cardiovascular benefits of course, but the focus of this study was the mind. There was one important exception: the only physical activity to offer protection against dementia was frequent dancing. Reading - 35% reduced risk of dementia Playing golf, bicycling, and swimming - 0% Doing crossword puzzles at least four days a week - 47% Dancing frequently - 76%. That was the greatest risk reduction of any activity studied, cognitive or physical. Neuroplasticity What could cause these significant cognitive benefits? In this study, neurologist Dr. Robert Katzman proposed that these persons are more resistant to the effects of dementia because of having greater cognitive reserve and increased complexity of neuronal synapses. Like education, participation in mentally- engaging activities lowers the risk of dementia by improving these neural qualities. As Harvard Medical School psychiatrist Dr. Joseph Coyle explains in an accompanying commentary: "The cerebral cortex and hippocampus, which are critical to these activities, are remarkably plastic, and they rewire themselves based upon their use." Our brain constantly rewires its neural pathways, as needed. If it doesn't need to, then it won't. Dance often. The study made another important suggestion… do it often. Seniors who did crossword puzzles four days a week had a measurably lower risk of dementia than those who did the puzzles once a week. If you can't take classes or go out dancing four times a week, then dance as much as you can at home. More is better. And do it now, the sooner the better. It's essential to start building your cognitive reserve now. The Village Line Dancers have participants from 55 to into their 90s! Check out how Line Dancing Classes have fun (and hope to get back to it soon in a socially distant way!) 1. OceanHillsCountryClub.com 2. Resident Log in 3. Recreation 4. Quick Links/Social Clubs 5. Village Line Dancing 6. Scroll to the bottom and choose PRACTICE AT HOME. Scroll to the bottom. Keep dancing! Hope to see you soon! 14 | OHCC LIVING | JULY 2020 | Village Line Dancers Just in case: Check with your club contact to confirm meeting place, date, and time.