2023-05-21 09:01:00
Physical activity stimulates neurogenesis – the creation of new nerve cells, and affects memory and learning while increasing neurotransmitters – central nerve conductors for mood regulation, according to a study published in “Neuroscience News”. The research also revealed that physical activity also improves brain plasticity, which is essential for recovery from injury and aging, and improves cognitive functions such as attention and memory.
Despite ongoing research, current evidence confirms the strong role of physical activity in promoting brain health and cognitive function, emphasizing the importance of incorporating regular physical activity into our lifestyle to achieve the following benefits:
1. Aerobic activity and brain volume: regular aerobic activity such as running can increase the size of the hippocampus – the part of our brain that is related to memory, learning and stress control, and also preserve vital material in the brain and improve spatial memory and cognitive function.
2. Physical activity and quality of sleep: regular physical activity can improve the quality of sleep, which contributes to memory consolidation and detoxification of the brain.
3. Exercise and stress reduction: Exercise can help reduce stress by increasing levels of norepinephrine and endorphins, which are chemicals that moderate the brain’s stress response and promote feelings of happiness.
Fitness neuroscience, a fascinating intersection between physical activity and brain health, is a rapidly developing field of scientific research. Fitness neuroscience examines the profound effects of regular exercise on the brain and nervous system, revealing important implications for overall health and quality of life.
One of the key discoveries is the connection between physical activity and the creation of new neurons in the brain, which occur mainly in the hippocampus, which is essential for learning and memory.
Regular exercise releases a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which nourishes existing neurons and encourages the growth and development of new neurons and synapses.
Aerobic exercises such as running and swimming are particularly beneficial, as they stimulate neurogenesis and, together with increasing the size of the anterior hippocampus, lead to improved spatial memory.
Physical activity has also been linked to the preservation of white and gray matter in the frontal, temporal and parietal cortices, areas that normally shrink with age and are essential for cognitive function.
Exercise also increases levels of certain neurotransmitters, including serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, which are chemicals that play a key role in mood regulation, mental alertness, and focus, which may explain why exercise is often associated with reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety.
In addition, physical activity also improves brain plasticity and the brain’s ability to adapt and create new neural connections throughout life, an especially important feature for recovering from a brain injury and preventing the cognitive decline associated with aging.
The researchers discovered that the prefrontal cortex, an area of the brain responsible for these functions, responds positively to physical activity, apparently due to increased blood flow, which supplies more oxygen and nutrients to the brain.
Exercise also helps relieve or reduce stress by increasing concentrations of norepinephrine and endorphins, chemicals that suppress the brain’s stress response and induce feelings of happiness.
The benefits of physical fitness go beyond the brain, as regular exercise reduces inflammation in the body, which can have a positive effect on the brain, since chronic inflammation is linked to various neurological conditions, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Despite these promising findings, much remains to be explored in the neuroscience of fitness. Questions remain about how different forms of exercise (such as aerobic vs. resistance) affect the brain and how factors such as age, genetics, and initial fitness level can influence these effects.
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