It is said that sport is good for your health. However, women who frequently engage in high-intensity sports run the risk of developing cognitive problems later in life, writes New Scientist.
Strenuous exercise reduces the level of estrogen in women and girls. This can delay the menstrual process or disturb the menstrual cycle in mature women. Moreover, low estrogen levels lead to psychological disorders in women later in life.
Mary Tierney of the University of Toronto asked 90 postmenopausal women to share about their physical activity throughout their lives. Then she tested their cognitive abilities. Studies have found a high decline in performance in various cognitive tasks in women who said they were often involved in vigorous sports. Women whose physical activity was rather moderate fared much better.
Further research into the effects of intense sports on cognitive performance will continue. (PAP)