1. Bursts of Exercise Help With Self-Control
Most of us think that we are getting enough exercise each day by walking around the office, school,
or home. Exercise is a physical activity that allows better blood circulation, thus improving the
delivery of oxygen to the brain and other organs of the body.
Diet and Exercise – For Optimal Functioning
A well-oxygenated brain allows optimal functioning of a wide range of physiological activities, from
muscle contraction to the production of enzymes that are essential for growth and maintenance of
the body. Research studies have earlier shown that diet and exercise can significantly improve
one’s health; it reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.
The role of proper diet and exercise applies to all age ranges, including that of the elderly. An age-
specific exercise is often recommended for older adults and these consider the agility level of these
individuals. Studies have also shown that elderly individuals have better brain health when they
follow a healthy diet and exercise regimen. Brain health disorders among the elderly include
dementia, which is characterized by a loss of memory and other brain processing functions.
Alzheimer’s disease is a brain condition that also presents with memory loss.
The Mental and Physical Outcome of Exercise
Various health outcomes have been associated with exercise. Is self-
control also linked to physical activities? According to a recent medical
report published in the journal BMC Geriatrics, regular exercise may also
help in promoting self-control in the elderly. The proponents of the study
explained that following a regimen that include proper diet and exercise
promotes good brain health by stimulating the main control center of the
body to perform at its normal expected capacity.
The Research Study on Self Control and Exercise
The research study involved approximately 250 adults within the age range of 55 to 80 years old.
These study participants were enrolled in an 18-month long program that monitored changes in
various physical and mental characteristics of the subjects. Physical characteristics included weight,
body mass index, and other health-related conditions, whereas mental symptoms included cognition,
self-control, and self-esteem. Assessment of mental symptoms was conducted by using the
Montreal Cognitive Assessment scoring system, which consisted of 24 indicators of cognition and
self-control. The study population was divided into two groups: one was subjected to an age-specific
exercise program, whereas the other followed a minimal to negligible level of physical activity.
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The results of the study showed that the group subjected to an exercise program were associated
with improved physical and mental conditions over a monitoring period of 18 months. In terms of
self-control, the study participants showed stable conditions that involved minimal emotional
outbursts. In addition, this group are showed efficiency in performing simple tasks that involve
cognition, including sorting a deck of cards, speaking with other co-participants and researchers, and
performing simple daily tasks. The researchers also highlighted the observation of self-control
among the members of the exercise group, in which these individuals were aware of the proper

2. ways of maintaining their health, especially after receiving non-formal discussions on health for the
elderly.
The Association Between Diet and Exercise and Self Control
The findings of this recent medical report serves as the first account on the association between
physical activity and self-control in a specific population. Although the mechanisms behind physical
activity and self-control remain elusive, the report has effectively demonstrated that exercise in the
elderly may result in better cognition function, especially in terms of self-control. The proponents of
the study will conduct further studies on this association to further examine the extent of
improvement that may be linked to physical exercise.
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