A pair of new studies published in the Archives of Internal Medicine suggest that exercise can help improve cognitive health in seniors.

The first study reviewed the effects of resistance training on women’s cognitive skills. Researchers studied 155 women between the ages of 65 and 75. They found that those who participated in resistance training once or twice each week for one year were able to improve their mental focus and conflict resolution skills as well as improve their muscular function.

"This has important clinical implications because cognitive impairment is a major health problem that currently lacks a clearly effective pharmaceutical therapy and because resistance training is not widely adopted by seniors," the authors write.

The second study found that moderate or high physical activity performed regularly for two years was associated with a lower risk of developing cognitive impairment in older adults.

Researchers in Germany examined physical activity and cognitive function in 3,903 participants over the age of 55. They found that exercise including aerobic exercise, strength training and dancing, could delay or prevent declines in cognitive function.

Among the nutritional supplements believed to aid in cognitive ability are vitamin E, gingko biloba, ginseng, gotu kola and passion flower.