We all know that cognitive fitness, keeping our brains sharp by
keeping them working and exercised by engaging in a variety of
cognitive activities, is crucial for long term brain health. But
physical activity is important for long term cognitive fitness
too. Recently my eye was caught by this paragraph in an article
in the AMA’s American Medical News: Each time a dance step is
learned, for instance, new pathways are formed. “Dancing is
excellent for the brain and body,” says Vincent Fortanasce, MD,
clinical professor of neurology at the University of Southern
California in Los Angeles. He wrote the Anti-Alzheimer’s
Prescription. “Not only are you moving around more, your brain
is in constant motion as it recalls steps and movements.” In
other words, in the same way that new cognitive and intellectual
activities—trying new kinds of puzzles, or games, for instance,
will “grow” our brains, so do does physical exercise and
learning new physical skills. As the AMA Medical News article
puts it: “Exercise can actua