The articles by Erikson et al., Gatz, Korol et al., and Draganski et al. explore the concept of increased physical activity and/or mental activity having effects on the cognitive function and development or deterioration of the brain as we age. Although I agree that physical exercise is critical in increasing cognitive function because of the health benefits it provides, as well as the increased blood flow and circulation throughout the body, I ultimately believe that a healthy brain is not achieved solely by physical exercise or mental exercise, but both. I think there is a link between physical and mental exercise, and that the combination of these two activities creates higher cognitive functioning of the mind as well as the body. The mind and body come together and meet to make an overall healthy individual.
The Erikson et al. article supports the idea that physical exercise helps the brain by improving memory and the size of the hippocampus. Erikson and his colleagues suggested in their study that physical exercise increases the retention of information and improves learning capabilities. The way they measured this was by studying the increased or decreased size of the subject’s hippocampus and levels of BDNF. The control group in this experiment completed stretching/toning exercises while the experimental group did aerobic exercise; the experimental group ended up having a larger hippocampus volume than when starting out, as well as higher levels of BDNF; the
Some hypothesize that moderate levels of exercise will decrease the symptoms of mental health conditions (Blumenthal et al., 2007; Diaz & Motta, 2008; Motta, Kuligowski, & Marino, 2010; Rosenbaum, Nguyen, Lenehan, Tiedemann, van der Ploeg, & Sherrington, 2011) and therefore be used as an alternative or complimentary treatment option for mental health (Libby, Pilver, & Desai, 2012).
Cavanaugh and Blanchard-Fields (2015) state that there is research showing how brain plasticity can be enhanced through aerobic exercise (p.51). It is important that adults be active in their lives. A 30-minute walk or some type of physical activity will benefit them as the age. The text mentions a study done by Erickson and his colleagues in 2009 where they studied the effect of aerobic exercise on the hippocampus. They found that due to aerobic exercise it produced greater volume in the hippocampus. This is significant because the hippocampus is the part of the brain that is responsible for memory, emotions, and spatial functioning. The body does not only need physical activities to produce healthier cognitive functioning but also nutrients. The text identifies three nutrient biomarker patterns that are significant on the aging brain. These nutrients are vitamin B, C,D, and E, omega-3, and trans fat. the foods that belong to these nutrients are beneficial to the brain. Older adults should make an effort to include these nutrients into their diets. positive impacts these nutrients make are better cognitive functioning and greater brain
Exercise may benefit the brain by increasing blood and oxygen flow due to its known cardiovascular benefits since the head and heart seem to have a connection when conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol have been linked to increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s (Alzheimer’s Association, 2016). Furthermore, treatment is available as of today that may temporarily help memory and thinking problems, but this medications do not treat the origin of
Godman, H. (2016). Regular exercise changes the brain to improve memory, thinking skills. Harvard Health Publications. Retrieved from http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/regular-exercise-changes-brain-improve-memory-thinking-skills-201404097110.
There is ample evidence to demonstrate that through the normal ageing process alterations to the brain in structure and function are directly related to cognitive changes (Glisky, 2007). With an increasing ageing population strategies for prevention of disease and age related cognitive decline are necessary to improve quality of life and reduce the associated healthcare costs (Australian Government Productivity Commission [AGPC], 2013). Physical exercise is known to be crucial in maintaining physiological health; it can also be used as a means of neuroprotection and assist in modifiable risk factors for improved brain health and subsequent cognitive function. This review will critically analyse current research into the effects of exercise
An increasing body of evidence verifies the influence of exercise on energy and function of the central nervous system (CNS) and how it can even help against neurological disorders. According to these studies and reports, exercise has the astonishing ability to boost mental health, and modern efforts are being dedicated to use this capability to reduce cognitive degeneration in aging and psychiatric illnesses. In this paper, recent studies are examined in humans and animals demonstrating the ability of exercise to uphold cognitive health across a lifespan. Accompanied with the goal to develop a complete explanation of how the effects of exercise in the brain correlates to the results provided from human studies. Improvements in neuroimaging have been vital in recording the relationship between the intellectual benefit and action of particular neural networks in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex involving individuals who practice exercise. Current innovations in the imaging of
During the normal aging process cerebral blood flow decreases almost 50%, this decrease reflects an overall decrease in global perfusion, which leads to cerebral atrophy. Cognitive impairment most commonly occurs in patients with cardiovascular disease; individuals with a sedentary lifestyle show a decrease in neuronal plasticity and learning. Subsequently aerobic exercise actually reduces the amount of brain tissue loss, increases memory function and increases gray matter volume in prefrontal areas. In another study men who participated in endurance exercise had increased cerebral blood flow of the middle cerebral artery, which results in lower cerebrovascular risk factors in physically active elderly individuals, providing a protective mechanism against cerebral atrophy (Wiggens, Simovance).
“ A new government study estimates that nearly 80 percent of adult Americans do not get the recommended amounts of exercise each week, potentially setting themselves up for years of health problems” (Ryan Jaslow). This states that if people don’t get enough exercise then they are going to have health problems. Getting enough exercise also helps your brain health and memory. “ Exercise can improve brain function and protect memory and thinking skills” ( Arlene Semeco). This proves that exercise is a solution to improve your memory, brain function, and weight loss.
Exercise increases blood flow to the brain result in neurogenesis. Studies showed that older men who exercised four times a week grew new cells in their dentate gyrus, the main region in the brain associated with memory and awareness. One can feel the brain improvement from exercises because it doesn't rely on one's age or fitness. One of the important aspects to prevent AD is by keeping the brain sharp and active. There are lots of strategies to keep one's mind active such as reading, brain-aerobic activities,
“If it’s safe for you, engage in cardiovascular exercise to elevate your heart rate. This will increase the blood flow to your brain and body, providing additional nourishment while reducing potential dementia risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol” (Alzheimer's Association 1). There have been many claims about exercise being correlated to better work and brain productivity. To prove these claims, one must perform an experiment through the scientific method. In this particular instance, the scientific method starts with one asking the question, “Do people who exercise have better brain performance than those who don’t?” Afterwards, a hypothesis is made. One theory states that there is a strong correlation between
The hypothesis of the effect of exercise training on hippocampal volume in humans: A pilot study was compared to aerobic fitness with older humans to examining if the earlier study was correct. The study was to find out if aerobic exercise training can increases hippocampal volume with older adult. (Parker, Beth A; Thompson, Paul D; Jordan, Kathryn C; Grimaldi, Adam S; Assaf, Michal; et al. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport 82.3 (Sep 2011): 585-91.) Hippocampal volume is a brain structure below the cerebral cortex of the brain. Hippocampal volume is important because it process information and formed memories, organizing information and concentration. (What Is Hippocampal Volume?, 2017). The sample chosen for this study adequate was animal. The reason why animal was used in this study because studied have shown there is convincing evidence that exercise training increases hippocampal volume.
Exercise is one of the most important factors in a persons’ life. Physical activity, or the lack of it, can result in a person having a healthy life or cause them to have diabetes. The benefits of exercise are countless. The positive health results, the improvement in attitude, even better academic performance are all factors which make not exercising inexcusable.
The benefits of physical exercise in humans far outweighs the harmful effects associated with exercise. A prescription of physical activity has been known to delay the onset or prevention of many chronic diseases. An improvement in heart function, lower blood pressure and improve functional capacity is noticed after just a few weeks of exercising. Physical activity will also result in an increase of lean muscle mass, promote weight maintenance, increased flexibility, and a generally stronger more fit individual. Conversely, exercise when preformed strenuously or obsessively can counteract such positive effects, bringing up some issues like oxidative stresses, injuries, and
Most of the time when exercise is being performed it is perceived that it’s because we need to get healthy, or stay healthy. When the word healthy comes to mind the first instinct is to think of the health of the body, to lose weight, tone the muscles, increase strength. Today there is a big focus on exercise for its many benefits that have been found in recent years. Focuses are on weight, diet, and reducing the risk of disease in the future. This is true, we need exercise too keep the body systems healthy. It keeps weight off, blood pressure down, reduces the risk of many diseases, and helps us lead a long healthy lifestyle. What most people don’t know however is that not only does exercise help with body composition and reduction of risk, but it can also help to increase the cognitive function of the brain. Exercise is food for the brain. “Studies in ageing humans show that endurance exercise is protective against cognitive decline, especially executive planning and working memory. In both humans and primates, exercise increases attention and performance on cognitive tasks” (Ploughman). Exercise is a must not only for the benefits to the body systems but most importantly for the brain. Most individuals exercise for reduction of disease risk to in turn have a healthier and a better body composition. Now we can add that exercise helps to increase brain functionality. If exercise can increase the cognitive function of the brain, why aren’t more individuals partaking in
Physical Activity is undeniably good for everyone, not only does it keep you fit and healthy but when started at a young age, it can set up good habits for life. Sometimes however, people do not take care of their physical wellbeing, resulting in obesity and other eating disorders which can be detrimental to their health.