MONTREAL, Nov. 16 (UPI) -- Argentina's tango seems far more than just fun as Canadian scientists found it also helps sharpen aging brains while keeping bodies in shape.
A study of the tango by Patricia McKinley of McGill University in Montreal adds to a growing body of evidence that leisure activities as dancing, chess or even gardening may offer a boost in brainpower, offsetting declines that can come with age, reports the USA Today.
McKinley picked the tango, a dance that involves a series of complex moves that can improve balance, the report said. Her team recruited 30 seniors ages 68 to 91.
The study found that the dancers got a boost in self-esteem almost right away. After 10 weeks, the dancers had better scores on memory tests as well as on a multitasking test.
Such a boost may translate to better abilities off the dance floor, such as the ability to talk on the phone while responding to e-mail.
The study's findings were presented in Washington at the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience.
