A new study found a surprising connection between physical activity and mental health in older adults. Researchers discovered that engaging in regular exercise can both improve cognitive function and reduce symptoms of depression, but also that these two benefits can actually feed into each other - meaning that exercising more can help alleviate depressive symptoms, which in turn can lead to better thinking abilities. This study used data from over 6,700 people aged 50 and older, and found a strong link between physical activity, cognitive function, and depression.