Exercise positively affects various systems of the body such as the cardiovascular and muscular systems. One area where exercise provides a significant boost in health is the brain. The health of the brain is vital to functions related to sleep, hunger, cardiac regulation, breathing regulation, voluntary and involuntary movements, and emotional stability. A highly functioning brain is necessary to maintain and improve all of these functions.
Mood
Exercise improves mood through the release of endorphins, the pleasure-inducing, mood-altering hormones. In the October 1994 issue of the "Journal of Applied Physiology," researchers indicated that decreased oxygen flow to muscles due to prolonged exercise stimulated the release of endorphins from the pituitary gland. Additionally, exercising for over 30 minutes at a time elevates endorphin levels to five times of what their levels are at rest.
Memory
Exercise has been shown to be particularly effective for short-term memory in older adult populations. In a 1988 article published in the "Journal of the American Geriatrics Society," researchers revealed that short-term memory complaints in older adult subjects in the study decreased substantially after 45 minutes of exercise. The researchers also saw an increase in logical memory cognitive test scores after subjects participated in exercise.
Brain Healing
Exercise has been shown to significantly contribute to regeneration and healing of damaged or injured neurons. Exercise increases the production of hormones in the brain that are vital to healing trauma-related damage. Additionally, after brain injury, exercise improves nerve impulse speeds, resulting in better processing of thoughts.
Age-Based Cognitive Disorders
Exercise decreases the risk of age-related cognitive disorders. In the March 2001 issue of "Archives of Neurology," researchers indicated that subjects who exercised had a significantly decreased risk for Alzheimer's and dementia when compared to subjects who did not exercise. The higher the level of exercise, the lower the risk of developing age-based cognitive degeneration.
References
- "Journal of Applied Physiology"; Acidosis Stimulates Beta-Endorphin Release During Exercise; D. Taylor, et al.; 1994
- "Journal of the American Geriatrics Society"; Acute Effects of Exercise on Neuropsychological Function in Elderly Subjects; D. Molloy, et al.; 1988
- "Archives of Neurology"; Physical Activity and Risk of Cognitive Impairment and Dementia in Elderly Persons; D. Laurin; 2001
