Page 196 - Mind Games The Aging Brain and How to Keep it Healthy

180 • Chapter 6

Photo courtesy of Henry Ortega

Older and Wiser

Leo LeBorde is a 79-year-old veteran of the tennis court. He
plays the Senior Tennis Circuit and coaches the younger students.
His wife, who is 14 years his junior, describes him as not only ex-
tremely healthy and very rarely ill but as extremely quick witted.
She can never “best” him at verbal repartee. I have told him that I
want him to coach me, as I have decided to take up tennis after
meeting him!

Another superb example is square dancing. Square
dancing requires concentration and mental attention to the
dance while physically interacting with others. Later in this
chapter, we discuss why social interactions also are critical
to the retention of your mental abilities. Walking with a
friend also can provide you with exercise, social interaction,
and mental stimulation.
Let’s discuss two types of exercise: aerobic and resis-
tance training. Examples of aerobic exercise are calisthenics
(from the Greek word for beautiful strength), rapid walking,
running, dancing, hiking, and so on. Aerobic refers to the ex-
panded use of oxygen by your body as you perform these