A remarkable new study finds that it could be astonishingly simple to keep both your brain and your body sharp, and it doesn’t require extreme exercise to do so. A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that doing moderate exercise several times a week is the best way to keep your mind sharp as well as your body if you’re over 50 years old.

Scientists found taht thinking and memory skills showed the most improvement when people worked out on a regular basis, based on a review of 39 studies. This was even the case when the person had experienced cognitive decline.

Of course, working out at any age is good for you and can help both the mind and body. But if you’re over 50, it’s best to focus more on exercises like T’ai Chi that aren’t as stressful on the body.

Scientists think that exercise boost the supply of blood in the brain, providing it with oxygen and nutrients to boost health and a growth hormone that can help improve neurons and connections.

“The findings suggest that an exercise programme with components of both aerobic and resistance type training, of at least moderate intensity and at least 45 minutes per session, on as many days of the week as possible, is beneficial to cognitive function in adults aged over 50,” the authors conclude.