Posted on 01/22/2023 2:12:33 PM PST by Openurmind
HAMILTON, Ontario — Turning off Waze or your favorite GPS app and using an old-fashioned map may be the best way to fight Alzheimer’s disease, a new study reveals. Researchers at McMaster University say orienteering, an outdoor sport that exercises the mind and body through navigation puzzles, can train the brain and stave off cognitive decline. The aim of orienteering is to navigate between checkpoints or controls marked on a special map. In competitive orienteering, the challenge is to complete the course in the quickest time.
For older adults, scientists say the sport — which sharpens navigational skills and memory — could become a useful intervention measure to fight off the slow decline related to dementia onset. They believe the physical and cognitive demands of orienteering can stimulate parts of the brain our ancient ancestors used for hunting and gathering.
The human brain evolved thousands of years ago to adapt to harsh environments by creating new neural pathways, the McMaster team explains. Those same brain functions are not always necessary today, however, thanks to GPS apps and food being readily available.
Unfortunately, the team says these skills fall into a “use it or lose it” situation.
“Modern life may lack the specific cognitive and physical challenges the brain needs to thrive,” says Jennifer Heisz, Canada Research Chair in Brain Health and Aging at McMaster University, in a media release. “In the absence of active navigation, we risk losing that neural architecture.”
(Excerpt) Read more at studyfinds.org ...
I don’t think Alzheimer’s is a mental “exercise” thing. I have known several sharp elderly people that were very active mentally, then declined rapidly with Alzheimer’s.
Really? What about designing electronic circuits, building and de-bugging them. Does that help?
I have ridden with people using a GPS. It’s dangerous, distracts them from what’s happening in front of them. Plus, they verbally tell you what to do constantly. I’m ready to t throw thing out the window after a mile or so.
Lol, same here... “Turn that off!”
Just read an article claiming daily walking 6-8K steps will stop/delay dementia. I have a fitbit and average about 13k steps a day.
I still can’t remember sheet.
Its more important to have the body active and moving and doing physical things rather than puzzles. Puzzles and brain teasers don’t stave off alzheimers. Walking and doing things that require coordination and balance have been found to be more important.
If you use real maps while driving, you don’t live long enough for dementia to take hold.
100% I find I have better situational awareness, directional bearing, and an easier time learning about my surroundings if I make a map and drive by the map.
Reading a map may not prevent alzheimers, but it does give the big picture.
A 2nd Lieutenant with a map is still the most dangerous weapon in the Army. More so when their GPS goes on the blink.
“We see but we do not observe.” I try to remember notable things about my surroundings when I am out. My recall isn’t perfect, but making tge effort helps me recall more about my day.
“””I find I have better situational awareness, directional bearing, and an easier time learning about my surroundings if I make a map and drive by the map.”””
My thoughts as well when driving using a map vs GPS. It is easier to remember how to return to origin when a map is used.
That’s why you pull over when and where it’s safe to consult your map. :-)
Google has sent me on occasion to the wrong address.
My gazeteers never do.
Using a map instead of a gps can also keep you out of rivers, off of dirt logging roads, and out of the bad part of towns.
DeLorme. Don’t leave home without them!
“100% I find I have better situational awareness, directional bearing, and an easier time learning about my surroundings if I make a map and drive by the map.”
I do that with my nav system. It contains slots more information of surroundings and even an aerial view with actual images.
“Reading a map may not prevent alzheimers, but it does give the big picture.”
The nav system gives you the big picture and ALL the little pictures ...
Since the article references both, apparently interchangeably, I would have to see the study to figure it out.
I also have known some very sharp and mentally active people who were Alzheimer's. So I would have to agree with you in theory.
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