Cognitive benefits of walking

M.R. O’Connor (@TheOChronicle) reviews “In Praise of Walking,” by Shane O’Mara. I wonder do the cognitive benefits from walking map to any other physical activities such as cycling and swimming? Some quotes from the review:

• Studies show that regular walking mobilizes changes in the structure of our brain that can increase volume in the areas associated with learning and memory.

• We have two main modes of thought: active mode and mind-wandering. It’s the latter that walking can stimulate, allowing our minds to drift and “integrate our past, present, and future, interrogate our social lives, and create a largescale personal narrative.”

• It’s O’Mara’s opinion that doctors should prescribe walking as a treatment for improving health because, as he puts it, movement is medicine. His prescription: Don’t bother going to the gym, just take really long walks, preferably in nature