Dear Doctor K: I do both aerobic exercises and resistance (strength) training exercises. Recently I heard that aerobic exercise might be better for the brain. Is that true?

Dear Reader: You probably are referring to a study published in February 2016 that got a lot of media attention. Before getting into the details of that study, it's worth talking more about exercise.

It's no surprise that exercising your muscles keeps them (and the heart and lungs) in shape. And it's no surprise that exercising the brain -- like doing puzzles, learning a new language, etc. -- may keep the brain in shape. What many people don't know is that regular physical exercise may also benefit the brain, along with the muscles, heart and lungs.

The evidence for this is clearest in animals. …