A study warns that being a couch potato is detrimental to memory.

A new study has brought disappointing news for those who prefer to spend all their free time on the couch. Researchers have discovered that exercise not only improves physical fitness but also helps maintain mental sharpness, reports Gizmodo.

Scientists from Finland compared memory data of individuals with varying levels of physical activity. The findings revealed that athletes possess better short-term memory compared to others, particularly those leading a sedentary lifestyle.

The research was conducted by scholars from the University of Jyväskylä, who aimed to find a link between physical exercise and cognitive abilities. Prior studies have already indicated that physical activity is associated with improvements in cognitive skills, including our working memory — a cognitive aspect that allows us to simultaneously process small amounts of information to complete tasks.

Athletes tend to have a more developed working memory, as they often need to make split-second decisions. However, researchers note that no experiments have yet compared working memory between athletes and non-athletes. This is precisely what the Finnish team focused on.

The scientists analyzed the results of 21 studies involving 1,455 participants, most of whom engaged in basketball, baseball, or fencing.

Athletes demonstrated a statistically significant advantage in working memory compared to non-athletic individuals across various levels of activity and different sports. The disparity was even more pronounced when comparing athletes to those leading a sedentary lifestyle.

"The results of our study indicate a connection between athletic prowess and enhanced working memory performance, while a sedentary lifestyle appears to be linked to its deficiencies," the authors of the study state.

It is noteworthy that such advantages are not limited to young individuals who frequently engage in sports. Research has shown that regular exercise is associated with improvements in working memory among older adults as well. Exercise also helps prevent age-related memory decline that we experience as we grow older.

To remind you, it has been found that the brain stores memories in a unique way. The results of this research will assist scientists in understanding how to help individuals access memories they believed were lost forever.