Working Out Makes Your Brain Fit

People are always surprised at all the things working out benefits. You probably already realize it helps the muscles. You might be aware that it helps strengthen bones. Did you know it can improve vision and boost cognitive functioning? That’s right. It can even raise your IQ. Besides making the body healthy, exercise also makes the brain fit. It doesn’t matter what your age is. It helps younger and older children in school and improves their mental capacity, but it also can keep seniors mentally spry.

Children function better at school when they exercise.

Studies show that exercise improves focus and cognitive flexibility. It’s especially beneficial for children that sit for several hours. Students who regularly participate in sports or spend more time in physical activities than in front of a computer screen are more focused and tend to be able to perform mental tasks faster and focus better than those who are sedentary.

Exercise builds new neural pathways.

No matter what your age, exercise helps boost cognitive functioning. Years ago, people believed that IQ never changed. You were stuck with what life dealt you. Now we find that neuroplasticity exists. Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to continuously change and develop new neuropathways. People used to believe that you were born with all the brain cells you’d ever have, but now we know it creates new cells. Exercise stimulates the production of both neural pathways and cells. It boosts brain power even more if you’re learning a new physical activity, like dance.

Exercise boosts growth factors that reduce inflammation and insulin resistance.

Seniors benefit from exercise. Brain health is affected by inflammation. It may cause Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Exercise reduces inflammation and causes the body to release growth factors. Those create new vessels and cells in the brain. Exercise wards off insulin resistance that can cause damage to the brain. Exercise also helps reduce anxiety and depression. Studies show that exercise can help slow the progress of dementia and Alzheimer’s.

• The hippocampus is responsible for memory, emotions, and the nervous system. It grows the more you exercise. The exercise must raise the heart rate and cause perspiration to affect it.
• You’ll sleep better at night when you exercise. When you go through all levels of sleep, it allows your brain to reorganize. There is an indication that lack of sleep and circadian rhythm dysfunction or night wakings can increase the potential for brain disease.
• You’ll clear your mind when you exercise. It burns off the hormones of stress. It also lowers blood pressure, which can affect the vessels in the brain.
• Studies indicate that exercise increases the prefrontal and medial temporal cortex. These areas of the brain control thinking and memory.

For more information, contact us today at Thrive Fitness!