Exercise is Good for the Brain

Exercise has a lot of benefits.  We run to lose weight or reduce health risks.  The book I am reading says, exercise also boost your brain power.  How does exercise help boost memory and brain function.  How much exercise do you need to help your memory?

The book Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School by John Medina provide the studies in improving brain function.  Chapter 1 deals with exercise and its relation to mental health.

According to research, people who exercise performs better in tests that measures long-term memory, reasoning, attention, problem solving and fluid-intelligence tasks.

However, exercise has not shown to improve short term memory and reaction times which are not related to the exercise.

Most studies are done on the elderly.  It shows that they benefit from exercise a lot.  Exercise is use by some practitioners to treat age-related dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and even depression.

Initial studies also shows benefits for 35-55 years old and kids.  But studies in these age groups are still very few.

How does exercise do these brain enhancing miracle?  The books states that exercise increase blood flow in the body.  An increase in blood flow means more nutrients gets in your system and more toxins are carried away from your body.

How much exercise do you need to get the benefits?  It varies from person to person.  But according to the books, most studies were done with this routine:  Aerobic exercise for 30 minutes for 2-3 days per week.  Cognitive performance was seen to improve within 12 weeks.

Jaime Medina ends the chapter with some radical ideas to help the general population.  He recommends having recess periods twice a day and having treadmills installed in classrooms and offices.

Two recess in a day is a cheaper option.  Suggest that to your teacher or boss.  😀

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