Brain and body exercises boost cognitive and physical performance in seniors
Biomedical engineering student talks about benefits of pairing cognitive, physical exercise
Local 12 highlighted a study by students at the University of Cincinnati that examined the benefits of pairing cognitive and physical exercise.
Doctoral student M.K. Wintz is studying biomedical engineering in UC's College of Engineering and Applied Science. Wintz said researchers are finding that dual-task exercises can lead to less brain fog, improved attention and even better memory.
Wintz is examining the topic at the Activate Brain and Body Fitness Center, where researchers worked with volunteers who dedicated their time exclusively to exercise and those who incorporated cognitive tasks in their exercise such as using a light board that requires users to press colorful buttons in sequence.
Wintz told Local 12 that the results suggest that adding cognitive tasks to workouts benefits participants, who fared better on the study's physical, cognitive and dual-task measures.
“I actually thought before I started with Activate that I was feeling maybe I was on the downhill slide of life and I don't feel that way anymore,“ participant Martha Hadley told Local 12.
Featured image at top: A UC student works out. Researchers say adding cognitive exercises to a workout can lead to better physical and cognitive health. Photo/Lisa Ventre/UC
Local 12 talked to UC doctoral student M.K. Wintz about a study examining the benefits of adding cognitive exercises to physical ones for better health. Photo/Local 12
Related Stories
Cincinnati sees record rainfall in weekend deluge
July 21, 2026
The Cincinnati Enquirer talks to UC College of Engineering and Applied Science Associate Professor Patrick Ray for context about a July 17 rainstorm that dumped a record amount of rain on parts of Cincinnati.
Putting preschool into perspective
July 20, 2026
Preschool and childcare can be difficult to navigate for parents, as Spectrum News 1 Ohio recently reported. Waitlists are long, and factors like cost, location and transportation can limit options. According to a recent study published by The Annie E. Casey Foundation, only 41% of 3- to 4-year-olds in Ohio were enrolled in preschool between 2020 and 2024 — a 4% decrease from pre-pandemic numbers. For University of Cincinnati early childhood education faculty member Chad Nunamaker, that statistic has caveats.
Engineering magnets for a cleaner future
July 20, 2026
The United States is heavily reliant on imported rare-earth materials to make permanent magnets. Ugochukwu Philip Ochieze, materials science student at the University of Cincinnati, is studying how to use common materials to create permanent magnets, eliminating the need for expensive and scarce rare-earth materials. Pursuing his PhD, Ochieze was named Graduate Student Engineer of the Month by the College of Engineering and Applied Science.