Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Review of research on exercise and fitness


Everyone knows that exercise is good for you. We've been told that by our teachers, parents, magazines, and the media. In this post, I would like to take a look at what science and research has to tell us. 

Research shows that exercise has been proven over and over again to improve alertness, attention and motivation. Aerobic exercise, like jogging, biking and swimming, has been shown to increase neurotransmitters, improve communication between brain cells and spur the developement of new brain cells. Does anyone know of any drug that can spur the developement of new brain cells? I sure don't. Anaerobic skill-based exercise like, tennis, basketball and dancing, improves synaptic connections in parts of the brain. Once improved, these connections can be recruited by other areas of the brain for thinking. This explains why children that play piano have an easier time learning math. 

What we are not hearing from our teachers, parents, magazines and the media is that exercise improves learning and brain function by growing new brain cells and improving communication between existing brain cells. Why not? There is no financial gains to be made from exercise, the way there would be from a drug.

In addition, exercise:
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  • Lowers heart disease risk
  • Reduces blood pressure
  • Increases strength of ligaments and tendons
  • Reduces stress and helps relieve depression
  • Improves sleep
  • Reduces risk of cancer (colon, prostate and breast)
  • Enhances physical appearance
  • Improves self esteem
  • Strengthens bones, reducing risk of osteoporosis
  • Increases energy
I am off to Runyon Canyon to build new brain cells! What are you doing today to improve your brain function???