Brain Function and Exercise
Better brain function with exercise? The evidence is clear. Notonly can you get long-term benefits for your brain fromexercise, but you can boost you brain power in the next tenminutes. Exercise can help your brain work more efficiently andactually make you smarter.
The thinking ability of subjects was tested in one study. Afterthese tests, the subjects ran on a treadmill for thirty minutes.When their hearts returned to normal resting levels they tookthe follow-up tests. During all tests the subjects wereconnected to an EEG (elctroencephalogram), in order to tracktheir brainwaves.
Researchers found that exercising had increased the speed theirdecision-making. It was considered a significant difference(beyond normal statistical variation). They also found that thesubjects answered more accurately after the exercise than before.
Participants were between 18 and 24 years old, but researchersthink the findings will hold true for other age groups as well.
One study showed that just ten minutes of moderate exercise eachday can improve mood and reduce fatigue. Brain functionspecifically wasnt tested, but it seems likely that lessfatigue means better brain power.
Best Exercise For Brain Function?
The research has focused more on the duration of exercise morethan on the specific type. Aerobic exercise seems to be thecommon
element in the studies that have shown improvements inbrain function, however. Its likely that running, bicycling,swimming, dancing and any other aerobic exercise will have thesame effect.
Notice that ten minutes of exercise is apparently enough to haveeffects on the brain. Also, while most scientists probablyexpected to find better brain function from long-term exerciseprograms, the study using treadmills showed an immediate effect.In other words, get up and run around, and you can be smarterten minutes from now.
Some people find that walking is a great way to boost brainpower. There are the aerobic benefits now being proven by recentstudies, but there seems to be something more. It may be due toits rythmic and relaxing nature that many people report theirclearest and most creative thinking when walking.
We already knew that exercise was good for sleeping better, ahealthier immune system, weight control, and a lower risk ofheart disease, cancer and diabetes. Now you can add brain powerto that list. Why not take a walk today for better brainfunction?
About the author:
Steve Gillman has been studying brainpower and related topicsfor years. For more on
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