02 aug More and more insight into the beneficial effects of exercise on the brain
Exercise is good for both your physical and mental health; this has been known to scientists for some time. How exactly it is that exercise has such a beneficial effect on the condition of the brain, more and more answers are now being found. In an article by National Geographic you can read what researchers have discovered about the beneficial effect of exercise on the brain.
Many scientists are concerned with how physical activity affects the brain. Several interesting findings have already emerged about the relationship between mental health and exercise. “The body of a 20-year-old is by definition different from that of a 70-year-old. But somehow, exercise benefits people of all ages,” neurologist Saul Villeda said in a statement article van National Geographic.
According to Villeda, exercise has multiple benefits for the brain. For example, there are indications that it leads to the renewal of nerve cells, that communication between nerve cells is improved and that it contributes to a reduction of inflammatory processes. Physical activity is also linked to better cognitive performance, in both children and adults. The hippocampus – involved in learning, memory and spatial orientation, among other things – appears to be larger in people with a good physical condition than in people who sit a lot. In addition, regular exercise can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and slow the disease process in various cognitive disorders.
Because of the many positive effects, therapists are also increasingly using exercise in their treatments. Psychologist Juli Fraga: “Exercise can significantly reduce symptoms such as anxiety and depression. Exercise is so beneficial that psychotherapists often prescribe it to their patients; some therapists even offer ‘walk-and-talk’ sessions.”
With the indications that emerge from scientific studies, it is hoped eventually to be able to develop brain treatments for people who cannot move so easily. “The ultimate goal is to develop a drug that can mimic the beneficial effects of exercise on the brain,” said neurobiologist Constanza Cortes Rodriguez. For example, the elderly and people with a physical condition will hopefully be able to experience the positive effects of a more active lifestyle in the future, even if they have limited options for exercise.
Read more about the underlying processes involved in the beneficial effects of exercise on brain health in the article van National Geographic.
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