Regular physical activity helps with weight management, helps you battle and prevent heart disease, boosts your energy level, helps with sleep and improves your mood. In addition, many studies suggest it may also have cognitive benefits for children, adults and older adults. Physical exercise may help children academically and it may improve memory in older adults. Exercise may even help if you suffer from depression and anxiety.
Physical Exercise for the Brain
Any type of physical activity has health benefits, but walking is especially good for your brain. Walking is not strenuous, so your leg muscles don't use extra oxygen and glucose as with other types of more vigorous exercise. When you walk, oxygen is reaching your brain. Also, movement and exercise increase breathing and heart rate so more blood flows to the brain. Exercise helps cerebral blood vessels grow, which improves cognition.
Children
According to a study conducted at the University of Georgia and published in "Educational Psychology Review" in 2008, research on children suggests physical activity can increase cognitive functions. For 15 weeks, 163 children ages 7 to 11 were studied during periods of physical activity. They were involved in vigorous exercise activities, such as basketball. As brain activity was measured during exercise, it was found that physical activity and increased cognitive functioning may be linked. A cognitive increase in children could lead to an increase in academic performance.
Seniors
Cognitive decline in seniors is an important health issue. According to a study published in the "Archives of Internal Medicine" in 2010, one year of once- or twice-weekly resistance training appears to improve attention and conflict resolution skills in older women. This conclusion was based on significant improvements in test scores measuring cognitive ability.
Depression and Anxiety
According to MayoClinic.com, exercise may help reduce anxiety and improve your mood. The links between depression, anxiety and exercise aren't completely clear, but working out can make you relax and feel better. Exercise releases brain chemicals that help you feel good, reduces immune system chemicals that make depression worse and increases body temperature, which may have calming effects. Psychologically and socially, exercise can help you gain confidence, worry less by offering a distraction, socialize more with others and cope with depression or anxiety in a healthy way.
References
- "Educational Psychology Review"; Exercise and Children's Intelligence, Cognition and Academic Achievement; Phillip D. Tomporowski et al.; June 2008
- "Archives of Internal Medicine"; Resistance Training and Executive Functions; Teresa Liu-Ambrose et al.; January 2010
- MayoClinic.com: Depression and anxiety: Exercise eases symptoms; Oct. 2009
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