Some kinds of mental skills naturally decrease as people get older.
Some
kinds
of
mental
skills
naturally
decrease
as
people
get
older
.
Yet research seems to show that some training can improve such skills.
Yet
research
seems
to
show
that
some
training
can
improve
such
skills
.
A recently published study also appears to demonstrate that the good effects of training can last for many years after that training has ended.
A
recently
published
study
also
appears
to
demonstrate
that
the
good
effects
of
training
can
last
for
many
years
after
that
training
has
ended
.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland wanted to learn how long memory and thinking skills would last in older people who trained to keep them.
Researchers
at
Johns
Hopkins
University
in
Maryland
wanted
to
learn
how
long
memory
and
thinking
skills
would
last
in
older
people
who
trained
to
keep
them
.
The people were part of the ten-year research project.
The
people
were
part
of
the
ten-year
research
project
.
They were taught methods meant to improve their memory, thinking and ability to perform everyday tasks.
They
were
taught
methods
meant
to
improve
their
memory
,
thinking
and
ability
to
perform
everyday
tasks
.
More than 2,800 volunteered for the study called ACTIVE - short for Advanced (Cognitive) Training for Independent and Vital Elderly.
More
than
2,800
volunteered
for
the
study
called
ACTIVE
-
short
for
Advanced
(
Cognitive
)
Training
for
Independent
and
Vital
Elderly
.
Most studied when they were more than 70 years old.
Most
studied
when
they
were
more
than
70
years
old
.
The volunteers took one of several short training classes meant to help them keep their mental abilities.
The
volunteers
took
one
of
several
short
training
classes
meant
to
help
them
keep
their
mental
abilities
.
One class trained participants in skills including how to remember word lists.
One
class
trained
participants
in
skills
including
how
to
remember
word
lists
.
Another group trained in reasoning.
Another
group
trained
in
reasoning
.
A third group received help with speed-of-processing - speed of receiving and understanding information.
A
third
group
received
help
with
speed-of-processing
-
speed
of
receiving
and
understanding
information
.
A fourth group - the control group did not get any training.
A
fourth
group
-
the
control
group
did
not
get
any
training
.
Earlier results had established that the training helped the participants for up to five years.
Earlier
results
had
established
that
the
training
helped
the
participants
for
up
to
five
years
.
Now, lead study writer George Rebok says, the research showed most of the training remained effective a full ten years later.
Now
,
lead
study
writer
George
Rebok
says
,
the
research
showed
most
of
the
training
remained
effective
a
full
ten
years
later
.
Professor Rebok and his team found that the people trained in reasoning and speed-of-processing did better on tests than the control group.
Professor
Rebok
and
his
team
found
that
the
people
trained
in
reasoning
and
speed-of-processing
did
better
on
tests
than
the
control
group
.
"We are wondering whether those effects which endured over time would still be there ten years following the training, and in fact, that's exactly what we found."
``
We
are
wondering
whether
those
effects
which
endured
over
time
would
still
be
there
ten
years
following
the
training
,
and
in
fact
,
that
's
exactly
what
we
found
.
''
The effect on memory, however, seemed not to last as long.
The
effect
on
memory
,
however
,
seemed
not
to
last
as
long
.
Still, the old people in any of the three classes generally reported less difficulty in performing daily activities than the control group.
Still
,
the
old
people
in
any
of
the
three
classes
generally
reported
less
difficulty
in
performing
daily
activities
than
the
control
group
.
The total training time for the older people was between 10 and 15 hours.
The
total
training
time
for
the
older
people
was
between
10
and
15
hours
.
Some kinds of mental skills naturally decrease as people get older. Yet research seems to show that some training can improve such skills. A recently published study also appears to demonstrate that the good effects of training can last for many years after that training has ended.  Researchers at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland wanted to learn how long memory and thinking skills would last in older people who trained to keep them. The people were part of the ten-year research project. They were taught methods meant to improve their memory, thinking and ability to perform everyday tasks.  More than 2,800 volunteered for the study called ACTIVE - short for Advanced (Cognitive) Training for Independent and Vital Elderly. Most studied when they were more than 70 years old.  The volunteers took one of several short training classes meant to help them keep their mental abilities. One class trained participants in skills including how to remember word lists. Another group trained in reasoning. A third group received help with speed-of-processing - speed of receiving and understanding information. A fourth group - the control group did not get any training.  Earlier results had established that the training helped the participants for up to five years. Now, lead study writer George Rebok says, the research showed most of the training remained effective a full ten years later.  Professor Rebok and his team found that the people trained in reasoning and speed-of-processing did better on tests than the control group.  "We are wondering whether those effects which endured over time would still be there ten years following the training, and in fact, that's exactly what we found."  The effect on memory, however, seemed not to last as long. Still, the old people in any of the three classes generally reported less difficulty in performing daily activities than the control group. The total training time for the older people was between 10 and 15 hours.