DQ2 PA/CON

DQ 2 – PA and Cognitive Function –

Describe the importance and implications of health and fitness in terms of maintaining an optimal cerebral environment for cognitive function. Provide examples and justify your answer.

Your initial answer should be 280 words minimum. Reference and cite (AMA or APA) two current peer reviewed research articles. Make your initial post by the 10th of the month so others have time to respond. Next, comment and provide feedback on at least three of your classmate’s posts (280 words minimum/post). Please see the syllabus and grading rubric for more information.

Classmate Respones

Emma Stevenson

As one ages, the functioning of the cerebral cortex declines as the brain itself changes and deteriorates. While some decline in cognitive functioning may be inevitable, there are ways for one to slow down and minimize this degradation of brain matter. One of the most efficient ways to preserve one’s memory, intelligence, and executive functioning is choosing a healthy lifestyle pattern. A healthy lifestyle pattern consists of eating nutritious food, abstaining from dangerous practices like smoking, and exercising. Exercise in particular is especially beneficial in helping the cerebral environment stay healthy throughout one’s life, as it helps strengthen the brain’s plasticity, and improve memory and spatial learning skills.

Exercise can help improve memory and spatial discrimination skills by keeping the hippocampus at a decent size and less inflamed. According to Cassilhas et al. the neurons within the hippocampus, specifically within the dentate gyrus region of the hippocampus, are capable of regenerating in response to exercise. Through a study comparing active to sedentary mice, it was concluded that the generation of new neurons, neurogenesis, in the active mice was what helped these mice have better performances on spatial differentiation tasks (Cassilhas et al. 2016). Since links between larger hippocampuses and those who are more active have been found, one can conclude that exercise can positively influence one’s ability to form and recall memory, as well as determine spatial differences.

Additionally, exercise and healthy lifestyle patterns are important in keeping the brain plastic. Plasticity refers to the brain’s ability to form, reform, and change the wiring and connections internally. This plasticity is extremely useful if one were to have brain damage due to an accident or disease, but it is also useful to maintain just to help keep the brain efficient in the face of typical degeneration of neurons with age. In the research of Cotman et al. it is determined that exercise helps maintain the upkeep of the underlying systems that help facilitate the brain’s plasticity. Exercise helps improve the vasculature system by decreasing the demand on the heart and improving blood flow. Having a better blood flow to the brain can improve the functioning of the neurons and their ability to form new connections, which is an especially vital skill for being able to learn new things. So since exercise helps improve cardiovascular health, it subsequently improves the cerebral environment and the plasticity of the aging brain.

References

Cotman, C. W., Berchtold, N. C., & Christie, L. A. (2007). Exercise builds brain health: key roles of growth factor cascades and inflammation. Trends in neurosciences, 30(9), 464–472. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tins.2007.06.011Links to an external site.

Cassilhas, R. C., Tufik, S., & de Mello, M. T. (2016). Physical exercise, neuroplasticity, spatial learning and memory. Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS, 73(5), 975–983. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-015-2102-0Karen Hanna

STUDENT #2 Oct 5 7:25pmManage Discussion by Karen HannaReply from Karen Hanna
Yes, physical activity is very important because it is good for the cardiovascular system, skeletal muscles, and bones. Although physical activity is healthy for everyone’s body, it is also very good for the brain. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, physical activity is known to help a person think, learn, problem solve, and enjoy an emotional balance. Regular physical activity is very important to the brain and cognitive functioning and thinking. Exercising regularly can reduce one’s risk of cognitive decline, including dementia, memory loss, Alzheimer’s, and many more. A study has shown that those who exercise regularly are at a reduced risk of developing a cognitive decline as they get older. Those who do not exercise or are inactive are twice as more likely to develop cognitive decline early on as they age. Any type of physical activity is helpful and useful for one’s body and their cognitive function. Physical activity helps maintain optimal cerebral environment for cognitive function. Physical activity allows a person to be able to sleep more freely and feel better about themselves. It can also reduce the risk of some common cancers among some people. Believe it or not, regularly performing physical activity can add years to your life. One does not have to be the best at exercising or go to the gym everyday, but any amount of physical activity can help someone improve their health no matter their age or level of fitness. Walking can also be a simple physical activity that is helpful.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, February 24). Physical activity boosts brain health. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/features/physica… to an external site..
Kirk-Sanchez, N. J., & McGough, E. L. (2014). Physical exercise and cognitive performance in the elderly: Current perspectives. Clinical interventions in aging. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC38720… to an external site.

Discussion Board 2 – Maintaining Sexual Health and Fitness in Older Age –

How would you suggest that individuals adjust their sexual activities, expectations, attitudes, and meanings as they age? What physiological processes must they consider? Health problems? Reference at least two sites you visited on this topic (AMA or APA citation).

Your initial post should be a minimum of 280 words and posted by the 10th of the month. In addition, make three additional posts to your classmate’s comments (280 word minimum) for a minimum total of four posts.

Classmate Respones

Alejandro Alvarado

Reply from Alejandro Alvarado

As individuals age, there are several factors, including physiological processes and health problems, that can influence their sexual activities, expectations, and attitudes. It is also important to note that sexual health is a complex and multifaceted aspect of overall well-being. So here are a few suggestions on how individuals can adjust their sexual activities and expectations as they age: it is important to understand the physiological changes like hormonal changes and chronic illnesses. With age, there is a decline in hormone levels, including testosterone and estrogen, which can affect libido and sexual response (DeLamater, 2012). Understanding these changes and the patterns can help individuals manage the expectations they have from their partners. Next chronic illnesses like diabetes and heart disease, can limit the physicality that individuals can handle (DeLamater, 2012). In addition, their body does not function at the same metabolic rate that it once did thus their energy levels may be reduced along with their sex drive (DeLamater, 2012). So, a good solution or rather option to maneuver such hindrance will be to incorporate and maintain an exercise regiment that puts healthy stress on the musculoskeletal system. This won’t cure the illness, but it will help manage the symptoms and maintain or improve sexual desire.

When aging is mentioned almost everyone’s first thought jumps straight into the physical aspects. However, it is also important to consider the sociological aspects and mentality of individuals (Kontula, 2009). Maintaining open communication and emotional intimacy will help support a healthy sexual life. Open and honest communication with partners is essential in order to know or learn what desires, limitations, and concerns they may have (Kontula, 2009). In turn discussing such needs can lead to a satisfying sexual experience by having all parties involved happy. Finally, emotional intimacy is an aspect that is consistently overlooked and discarded, especially in long-term relationships that have accumulated years together (Kontula, 2009). Building emotional connections and intimacy can compensate for any physical limitations that may be present between partners. Emotional bonding and imprinting create trust which is a necessary foundation aging relationships that can withstand the test of time.

Citations:

DeLamater, J. (2012). Sexual Expression in Later Life: A Review and Synthesis. The Journal of Sex Research, 49(2/3), 125–141. http://www.jstor.org/stable/23249140

Kontula, O., & Haavio-Mannila, E. (2009). The Impact of Aging on Human Sexual Activity and Sexual Desire. The Journal of Sex Research, 46(1), 46–56. http://www.jstor.org/stable/20620398

Lauren Nicole Tennis

Manage Di

Reply from Lauren Nicole Tennis

Every person’s body changes as they age, but what is not discussed as openly is the sexual change that people go through as they get older. This is in part because our society sees these topics as more of a taboo, but it is important to be knowledgeable of the changes coming in our lives and how we can counteract them. Big ones that are know are things like poor blood circulation, erectile disfunction, menopause symptoms, vaginal thinning, reshaping, reduction in lubrication, and a harder time to become aroused along with climaxing. Other issues that men can run into is Peyronie’s disease, where scare tissue develops under the penis and pulls on the surrounding tissue causing it to curve, and making arousal painful. Other factors that affect their health along with sexual health are diabetes, chronic pain, alcohol, depression, arthritis, heart diseases, incontinence, and medications. These issues need to be approached with care and open conversations. A lot of these are helped with partners finding new positions to try and finding new things to help the process. One issue that was studied in women was menopause and pelvic organ prolapse which is when the pelvic organs drop and push on other organs making things very uncomfortable down there. Research was done to see what helped women the most in these scenarios. It was found that aerobic exercises were the most effective in helping women have more functionality and comfort. For others, yoga was more beneficial. There was also a study that proved aerobic exercises greatly helped men with erectile disfunction as well. This is also just beneficial in other problem areas. Exercising helps blood circulation, muscle retention, blood pressure, diabetes levels, mental health, heart health, and reduction of medication intake. Now it is not the end all, be all. People still need to be wary of what they eat and other ‘normal’ health maintenances. Older adults still need to be mindful in their sexual health as their aging bodies will not be able to perform the same way it did years prior, but if they take in all the tools to help them perform and enjoy the experience better they will have a healthier life and partner relationship.

Carcelén-Fraile, María Del Carmen, et al. “Effects of Physical Exercise on Sexual Function and Quality of Sexual Life Related to Menopausal Symptoms in Peri- and Postmenopausal Women: A Systematic Review.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 14 Apr. 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7215442/Links to an external site..

Gerbild, Helle, et al. “Physical Activity to Improve Erectile Function: A Systematic Review of Intervention Studies.” Sexual Medicine, U.S. National Library of Medicine, June 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5960035/.

“Sexuality and Intimacy in Older Adults.” National Institute on Aging, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, www.nia.nih.gov/health/sexuality-and-intimacy-older-adults. Accessed 6 Oct. 2023.