Benefits of Exercise

'Better Brainpower'

    Can you boost brain power with physical activity? Several relevant studies were reported on at the annual Meeting Of The Society Of Psychophysiological Research in Montreal recently.

 

     The findings showed both immediate benefits from physical activity, as well as long-term effects. Physical activity seems to help your brain work more efficiently and actually may make you smarter.

    

     In one study, the thinking ability of subjects was tested. After the tests, they ran on a treadmill for thirty minutes. Then, when their hearts returned to normal resting levels they took the follow-up tests.

   

     For all tests the subjects were connected to an electroencephalogram (EEG), in order to track their brainwaves.

 

     The first thing researchers noted was that exercising had sped up the speed of their decision-making. It was a significant difference.

 

      Upon scoring the tests, it was also found that the subjects answered more accurately after the exercise than before. The study participants were between 18 and 24 years old, but researchers think the findings will hold true for other age groups as well.

 

     Another study showed that just ten minutes of moderate exercise each day can improve mood and reduce fatigue. Brainpower specifically wasn't tested, but it seems likely that less fatigue means better brain power. 

 

     The benefits of exercise include better sleep, a healthier immune system, weight control, and a lower risk of heart disease, cancer and diabetes. Now you can add better brain power to that list. 

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