Exercise Makes You Stronger and SMARTER

You have certainly heard that exercise does a body good but new research shows exercise also does a brain good, not just for battling depression or fatigue but for actual mental functioning related to memory and other functioning. Not only are you creating stronger muscle fibers and increasing your cardiovascular capacity with every workout you are also actually creating new brain cells and strengthening old weaker cells.

Individuals scored higher on intelligence tests after embarking on a four month fitness program according to a Duke University study. The changes are attributed to the increase in cognitive functioning from the increase in exercise. Interestingly a study done by Dr. Kubota in Handa, Japan showed the improvements only last as long as the participants were engaged in the exercise activities. Once they stopped working out, so did the improvements in mental capacity back to their normal state.

Dr. Kubota’s study took a group of healthy young people and had them begin a 30 minute, 2 to 3 times per week jogging program.  Each of the participants took a series of complex computer based tests to judge memory skills before and after the 12 weeks. At the conclusion, the runners all improved their scores as well as their reaction times taking the tests, there were no practice tests, nor means by which to practice to prepare for the follow up tests. Once the runners stopped the physical program, their test scores declined.

Dr. Kubota does not know precisely why the prefrontal function of the brain and exercise are linked but hypothesizes that it is related to the increase in blood flow and oxygen to the brain.

Of interest is also that the effects, while not long lasting in adults do last longer in children. Children seem to reap greater benefits when it comes to brain function increase and sustaining the increase than adults do. The brain before the age of 20 is not fully developed and so there may be a tie in there but the overall benefit to these findings is that schools may reintroduce physical activity on a daily basis for the children. Not only would this help the chronic obesity plaguing our children but the failing grades of some of our schools as well.

Charles Hillman, a professor at the University of Illinois also conducted a study, this one with a group of third and fifth graders and very different from Dr. Kubota’s. Hillman tested 259 children on their physical abilities by administering basic fitness tests such as body fat testing and the sit and reach test and other standardized tests. He then compared their results on math and reading standardized tests and found a positive correlation. His conclusion, the higher the fitness level of the child the higher the scholastic results.

There are other studies which have concluded that even older brain cells when exposed to the effects of exercise on the body and brain form increased networks of cells which serve to strengthen the brain as a whole. This research is in its infancy during our generation but it is not a new philosophy; the ancient Greeks are well known for their belief in strong minds and bodies, or otherwise stated, the mind/ body connection we hear so much about today.

Regardless of your motivation to start an exercise program, it is beneficial on many levels and there continue to be new findings on just how important it is.  Contact your physician, find a program you enjoy and get moving.

By Christina Leon, Staff Writer