"We found that a simple, guideline-based exercise program can make the brain look measurably younger over just 12 months," says data scientist Lu Wan, from the AdventHealth Research Institute. "These absolute changes were modest, but even a one-year shift in brain age could matter over the course of decades." Based on a variety of biomarkers, MRI brain scans showed that those who followed the exercise regimen had brains that showed signs of being 0.6 years younger on average than their chronological age. The next question is why exercise might keep the brain younger. "Our findings support the idea that following current exercise guidelines – 150 minutes per week of moderate-to-vigorous aerobic activity – may help keep the brain biologically younger, even in midlife."