Exercise in general is good for the brain, but dancing is particularly effective. Not only does it keep you fit, it also provides a workout for your grey matter. When US researchers studied the link between leisure activities and the risk of dementia in senior citizens, dancing was the best prevention. In the 21-year study, people who regularly danced were, on average, 76% less likely to develop dementia. Another study showed older people who took tango classes saw greater improvements in balance, posture and motor co-ordination than those who walked for exercise. They also performed better at a complicated cognitive task while walking. It could be that the mental effort involved in remembering steps and making split-second adjustments to your movements stimulates the brain’s ability to make new connections between cells. The brain only does this when it is challenged. There is another benefit, too: dancing is a social activity.
from The Guardian – 22 Sept
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/sep/22/boost-brain-power-mental-prowess
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