Pioneering brain and body fitness for optimal health and longevity

SPARKD is leading the charge in integrating cognitive training into fitness regimens, reshaping the way we perceive aging and wellness.

When I visited the Longevity Center in Warsaw, I took several tests, one of which was a cognition test. I’m happy to say that most of my results were in the top percentile, scoring above average (well done). However, there was one outlier in my scores related to reaction time. And having always prided myself on having good reflexes, I was quite surprised to see this result.

It was interesting to discover that I was actually quite slow at some of the tasks that I might have found easier a few years ago. It reminded me of my father-in-law, who is 80 years old but still exercises regularly; he is only working on a parallel motion, and I can see that his balance will be affected over time because he is not using his proprioceptive functions. Some of the exercises I experienced that I share in the article, combining peripheral vision and physical lunge, could be great for someone like him to maintain his independence and avoid hip fractures and other injuries.

Just as we test our muscles, joints and bones to maintain health and well-being, we also need to regularly exercise our brains and cognitive skills.

When I attended the Longevity Supplements Conference in Singapore, I had the opportunity to meet the CEO of an interesting gym in downtown Singapore called SPARKD. Partnered with Chi Longevity Clinic, SPARKD helps clinic clients continue their longevity journeys after diagnosis, and its founder, Anna Milani, is a certified Brain Health Trainer with over 20 years of experience in fitness industry.

Of course, neural plasticity is important as we get older, and it was very interesting for me to experience this new category of fitness that combines physical exercise with neural exercise to improve both mind and body.

Milani, who is also the CEO of SPARKD, explained that SPARKD is a brain fitness gym that focuses on optimal health, longevity and performance.

The unique SPARKD fitness experience combines science-based physical and cognitive training, he said. Programs are gamified, personalized and data-driven. The SPARKD Longevity Program begins with a validated physical and cognitive test that measures processing speed, attention, memory, executive function and visual skills. Programs include balance, proprioception, core training, strength, power training and cognitive motor training.

Brain-body training has been scientifically proven to slow cognitive decline, improve physical and cognitive performance, and promote neuroplasticity, contributing to a longer, healthier life. Incorporating brain-body physical training into sustainable longevity protocols can play a key role in improving both physical and cognitive abilities, bringing significant improvements to daily functioning and overall health.

Milani says cognitive fitness is the cornerstone of SPARKD’s approach.

In the pursuit of longevity and brain health, we have embarked on a journey that transcends traditional notions of physical training, he explains. At SPARKD, the deep understanding is that a fit body is incomplete without a fit mind. As research continues to illuminate the intimate connection between physical activity and cognitive function, we are on the frontier of a growing field, one where physical exercise combined simultaneously with cognitive exercise serves not not only to strengthen muscles but to improve brain plasticity.

Milani adds that the growing interest in this intersection of fitness and neuroscience underscores a fundamental shift in how we perceive aging and well-being. He hoped to combat the ravages of time by rewriting the script on what it means to age gracefully, he explains. At SPARKD, we’re not just sculpting bodies, we’re sculpting resilient brains, empowering people to lead lives of vitality and cognitive abundance.

The fitness industry is always evolving, and it’s great to see this evolution in combining neural fitness with physical fitness.

There is a growing awareness of the importance of mental health and this goes hand in hand with the growing demand for non-pharmaceutical treatments to maintain better mental health. In fact, brain fitness solutions are gaining popularity worldwide as they provide an effective way to increase memory, focus and other cognitive skills, and as a result, the global brain fitness market is expected to ‘brain fitness’ to reach $8.11 billion by 2028. [1].

This growth is supported by science; one study concluded that the total potential societal cost savings associated with reducing decline in cognitive function in people with mild AD dementia by 50% can save up to 1133/patient over 18 months. [2]. By 2030, 4.992 million new cases of major preventable NCDs would occur worldwide if the prevalence of physical inactivity does not change, with direct health care costs of INT $520 billion.

No wonder, then, that the global cognitive training and assessment market has taken off, with a size valued at USD 2255.08 million by 2021 and expected to expand at a CAGR of 33.6% during the forecast period, reaching USD 12,822.43 million by 2027 [3].

Clearly, interest in mind-body fitness and cognitive health is gaining momentum. SPARKD is riding this wave and expanding its reach to longevity clinics, hotels and corporate offices. With a strategic focus, SPARKD is also expanding its presence in corporate offices in Singapore and Thailand, while actively exploring opportunities in the Middle East, Europe and the US.

[1] https://www.verifiedmarketreports.com/product/brain-fitness-market/
[2] https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12877-018-0748-9
[3] https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/cognitive-assessment-training-market-growth