Researchers find leg muscle force to be more closely linked to age-related changes in mental function than any other lifestyle factor tested

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

Anyone who doubts the intellectual prowess of high-profile footballers might have to think again. Scientists have discovered a link between strong legs and a fit brain that resists the effects of ageing.

Researchers found a “striking protective relationship” between high leg power and better preserved mental ability and brain structure over a period of 10 years.

The study of identical twins is thought to be the first to show a specific link between leg muscle force and brain performance in a normal, healthy population.

Because identical twins share the same genes, differences between them can be traced to environmental factors, such as keeping physically fit.

The study’s lead scientist, Dr Claire Steves, who is a lecturer in twin research at King’s College London, said: “It’s compelling to see such differences in cognition and brain structure in identical twins, who had different leg power 10 years before. It suggests that simple lifestyle changes to boost our physical activity may help to keep us both mentally and physically healthy.”

The scientists studied a sample of 324 volunteer female twins with an average age of 55 over a 10-year period from 1999, looking at various factors related to health and lifestyle.

The results, published in the journal Gerontology, showed that leg power was more closely linked to age-related changes in mental function than any other lifestyle factor tested.