Evolution of Neuroplasticity in Response to Physical Activity in Old Age: The Case for Dancing.

Abstract in brief

• The study compares the effects of a new dance program that involves learning new movements to traditional repetitive exercises in seniors aged 63-80, finding that dancing leads to greater brain plasticity, especially in regions linked to motor and memory functions.
• After 6 months, dancers showed increased gray matter volume in the left precentral gyrus and higher BDNF levels, suggesting enhanced neuroplasticity, while both groups improved in attention and verbal memory over time.
• The results imply that long-term dance activities that challenge the brain with new learning are more effective than simple repetitive exercises in promoting brain health and counteracting age-related decline.]