Numerous studies have shown the intellectual benefits of exercise for children. Physical activity has been shown to increase test scores, improve concentration and improve overall academic achievement. As P.E. classes and recess time are being cut, parents have a greater responsibility to incorporate exercise into after-school activities. But kids aren’t the only ones whose brain power gets a boost from exercise. New research shows that adults can benefit as well. The study, published in the journal Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, followed sedentary adults (who did fewer than two 30-minute weekly workouts in the previous six months) as they began a regular exercise program that continued for a year. Their program consisted of moderate walking and stretching for 40 minutes, 3 times a week. According to the report, "after just one year of activity, the subjects — who ranged in age from 59 to 80 — had improved connectivity of important circuits in their brain and had mitigated declines in their brain function that are typically associated with aging. Furthermore, they showed improved performance on cognitive tasks." Researchers said that these results weren’t surprising, because a large part of the brain is used for coordinating the actions of the muscles. The more active you are, the more practice your brain gets in processing information- and therefore, your cognitive abilities can improve. It was interesting to hear that a moderate-intensity exercise program only 3 times a week was enough to see positive results. That means you don’t have to spend hours at the gym to get the brain boost that small amounts of activity can provide. What do you think? |
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