Results newly published from a longitudinal study examining the effects of life long exercise on the brain, reveal regular intensive exercise can improve cognitive function in those aged 50.

The study, by King's College London researchers and published in Psychological Medicine, examined information from the UK National Child Development Study, which detailed levels of exercise in 9,000 individuals aged 11 to 50.

At the age of 50 participants were required to perform cognitive performance tasks in memory and executive functioning.

The researchers found participants who exercised weekly as a child and as an adult performed better on memory, learning, attention and reasoning, than those who exercised two to three times a month or less.

However, the researchers found participants did not have to exercise at the government recommended level of 150 minutes per week, in order to reap the benefits on their cognitive functioning.

Lecturer in translational epidemiology and public health at King's College London said: "It's widely acknowledged that a healthy body equals a healthy mind.

"However, not everyone is willing or able to take part in the recommended 150 minutes of physical activity per week.

"For these people any level of physical activity may benefit their cognitive well-being in the long-term and this is something that needs to be explored further."