It is commonly believed that cognitive abilities start to decline in one's 20s and 30s, and age-related skill loss is a serious concern in modern society. However, a German study has found that people who regularly engage in work that involves using brain activity can continue to improve their skills even as they age.
A research team from Stanford University, the Berlin School of Economics, and the University of Munich analyzed test results from adults aged 16 to 65. These tests were part of the OECD’s Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC), which accurately measures changes in cognitive skills over time.
The study involved 3,263 German participants who took the test twice, with an average age of 41.3 years. Among them, 37.8% were in white-collar jobs such as management, professional, or technical roles, and 30.6% had received higher education.
The first test showed that literacy and numeracy skills peaked in the 20s and 30s and declined significantly after the 40s. However, when comparing results from both tests, the researchers found that people who frequently used their skills continued to improve their literacy and numerical reasoning until their 60s. In contrast, those who used these skills less frequently began to experience a decline by their mid-30s.
The research team emphasized that people who regularly use their skills do not experience the typical decline associated with aging, highlighting the importance of lifelong learning. They also noted that even among white-collar workers and those with higher education, only those who consistently use their skills maintain cognitive abilities over time.
Viewer Comments:
I heard that nursing homes are introducing board games to prevent cognitive decline.
Staring at your smartphone all the time feels like it would make your brain weaker.
Since I play all kinds of games, I guess I’m safe, right?
Source:https://www.science.org/doi/full/10.1126/sciadv.ads1560
https://biz.chosun.com/en/en-science/2025/03/06/VHGQLWTFMBFUPFAU3I77WW572Q/
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