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Exercise an important part of keeping brain fit

Headshot of Nicolette Barbas
Nicolette BarbasSouth Western Times
As part of Brain Awareness Week, Exercise Physiologist from Maximum Results Chris Andrew is reminding people of the benefits exercise can have on your brain.
Camera IconAs part of Brain Awareness Week, Exercise Physiologist from Maximum Results Chris Andrew is reminding people of the benefits exercise can have on your brain. Credit: Nicolette Barbas

Everybody knows exercise is good for the body, but the majority of gym-goers are unaware of the vital role it plays in brain health.

Being physically active throughout your life can help to preserve your cognitive function and potentially protect you from conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

With Brain Awareness Week in full swing, exercise physiologist at Maximum Results, Chris Andrew, pictured, is encouraging South West residents to keep up the physical activity.

“Exercise plays a crucial role on both brain function and mental health,” Mr Andrew said.

“I work with a range of clients from athletes to cancer patients and people suffering from dementia and the use of exercise as an intervention for chronic disease and injury management is astounding.

“Dementia is now the second leading cause of death of Australians and the leading cause of death for women in this country and it is important we do whatever we can to help lower that statistic.”

Having worked as an exercise physiologist for six years, Mr Andrew hopes that by highlighting the important benefits of exercise for brain health Australians will be more motivated to regularly participate in physical activity.

“We are encouraging more Australians to meet the National Physical Activity Guidelines of a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week,” he said.

“We had a lady that came in with a diagnosis of dementia and after undertaking two to three exercise classes per week we noticed a massive improvement in her physical health, social behaviour and mental health.

“If we can somehow help improve a part of their life then we know we are doing our job and it is quite rewarding.”

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