Hydration and exercise go hand in hand. Staying hydrated is absolutely important not for exercise but for life. Now researchers have found another benefit. Exercise can help with memory and brain function especially in older populations. New England based researchers have found that drinking water throughout a workout can increase these cognitive benefits.

            To perform this experiment, researchers had cyclists ride and perform different exercises. One group was kept well hydrated while the other wasn’t. After a bout of exercise, both groups did a number of puzzles. They found that the cyclists that were hydrated not only did the tests faster but with greater accuracy than those who were dehydrated.

            Older generations have a blunted perception of their thirst so making sure you are hydrated can be tougher. Waiting until you’re thirsty is pointless. That is the first sign you are dehydrated. Making sure you take in enough water and monitoring your urination are keys to making sure you are well hydrated and performing as best as you can.

Sean Willitts is an ACE certified personal trainer. He graduated from Kutztown University in 2015 with a bachelor’s in sports management and a minor in fitness. Including training at Body Elite, he is also a record holding powerlifter. He uses his practical experience and knowledge to help his clients achieve their strength and fitness goals.

 Source:   American Physiological Society. "Drinking water may help exercising seniors stay mentally sharp: Hydration boosts performance on test of executive function following exercise." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 22 April 2018. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/04/180422123757.htm>.