Health Beat
What exercise can do for the mind: More reasons to hit the gym
Brooke Genkin
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We have been told ad nauseam that exercise has many health benefits for our heart, muscles and lungs, but what we are learning through recent research is that exercise may also do wonders for our minds.
The theory that exercise does the mind good has been circulating since the time of the ancient Greeks, and now we are getting the scientific evidence to back it up. A few weeks ago, the National Academy of Sciences published a study reporting that people had the ability to regenerate brain cells after participating in an aerobic exercise routine for just three months. Other studies recently published claims that exercise can delay the effects of Alzheimer's disease as well as reduce symptoms of ADHD and other cognitive disorders.
So how does it work?
The muscle contraction that occurs during exercise sends out chemicals, including a protein called IGF-1. IGF-1 travels through the blood to the brain. Once in the brain, IGF-1 oversees the production of other chemicals, such as BDNF. When exercise becomes a part of a daily routine, the body builds up these levels, which enhances the communication between brain cells. The connections BDNF facilitates between different parts of the brain underlie the process better known to us as "learning." Thus, because exercise increases the levels of BDNF in our brains, it also increases our ability to learn.
In addition to facilitating learning, exercise helps the body relax and prepare to concentrate for long periods of time. Numerous friends of mine have asked why I never take a break from exercising. The only answer I can ever come up with is, "I can't." Frequent exercisers frequently feel antsy if they miss a work out. Although these anxieties may seem unfounded or self-imposed, research suggests there is a physical basis to these feelings. Check out the last week's Newsweek for a Harvard psychiatrist's explanation of the physical phenomenon.
The calming effects of exercise are so well proven that many children suffering from ADHD participate in some sort of exercise regimen in conjunction with medication to help stay calm and focused.
Exercise can help you stay on task whether you are in the lecture hall, library, or studio, but will the effects last? While exercise will improve your overall health for years to come, in order to be able to benefit from the mental effects it really is necessary to maintain an exercise routine as you age. The ultimate frisbee games you play now will not do you any good come your 70th birthday if you don't maintain an exercise regime.
BDNF levels are fairly high in younger people, but tend to decline with age, making it harder to acquire new information and remember past knowledge. Increased learning ability, sustained focus, and prevention of memory loss are just a few new reasons to hit the gym.
What exercise can do for the mind: More reasons to hit the gym
Brooke Genkin
Article Tools
Page 1 of 1
We have been told ad nauseam that exercise has many health benefits for our heart, muscles and lungs, but what we are learning through recent research is that exercise may also do wonders for our minds.
The theory that exercise does the mind good has been circulating since the time of the ancient Greeks, and now we are getting the scientific evidence to back it up. A few weeks ago, the National Academy of Sciences published a study reporting that people had the ability to regenerate brain cells after participating in an aerobic exercise routine for just three months. Other studies recently published claims that exercise can delay the effects of Alzheimer's disease as well as reduce symptoms of ADHD and other cognitive disorders.
So how does it work?
The muscle contraction that occurs during exercise sends out chemicals, including a protein called IGF-1. IGF-1 travels through the blood to the brain. Once in the brain, IGF-1 oversees the production of other chemicals, such as BDNF. When exercise becomes a part of a daily routine, the body builds up these levels, which enhances the communication between brain cells. The connections BDNF facilitates between different parts of the brain underlie the process better known to us as "learning." Thus, because exercise increases the levels of BDNF in our brains, it also increases our ability to learn.
In addition to facilitating learning, exercise helps the body relax and prepare to concentrate for long periods of time. Numerous friends of mine have asked why I never take a break from exercising. The only answer I can ever come up with is, "I can't." Frequent exercisers frequently feel antsy if they miss a work out. Although these anxieties may seem unfounded or self-imposed, research suggests there is a physical basis to these feelings. Check out the last week's Newsweek for a Harvard psychiatrist's explanation of the physical phenomenon.
The calming effects of exercise are so well proven that many children suffering from ADHD participate in some sort of exercise regimen in conjunction with medication to help stay calm and focused.
Exercise can help you stay on task whether you are in the lecture hall, library, or studio, but will the effects last? While exercise will improve your overall health for years to come, in order to be able to benefit from the mental effects it really is necessary to maintain an exercise routine as you age. The ultimate frisbee games you play now will not do you any good come your 70th birthday if you don't maintain an exercise regime.
BDNF levels are fairly high in younger people, but tend to decline with age, making it harder to acquire new information and remember past knowledge. Increased learning ability, sustained focus, and prevention of memory loss are just a few new reasons to hit the gym.
