A new study published in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine journal found that physical activity, even everyday movements, can improve cognitive processing speed. Researchers discovered that participants who engaged in any level of physical activity, from light chores to vigorous exercise, showed faster information processing, equivalent to being four years younger. The study suggests that regular movement can benefit brain function and may explain why it's harder to concentrate after prolonged inactivity.
While the connection between exercise and, say, muscle development is apparent, some of its benefits are less obvious. One of these relates to published in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine journal found even more reason to get moving for the sake of your brain.
What makes this study interesting, though, is that participants didn’t just report structured fitness activities like cycling, jogging and tennis; they also tracked everyday movements like playing with their kids or going for walks. Physical activity was rated as light, moderate or vigorous. One limitation of this study is that participants self-reported their physical activity levels, which could leave room for error. The number of participants was also pretty small, but experts agree with the findings nonetheless.“The results showed that individuals who were physically active performed better in these cognitive tests, demonstrating human brain is plastic,” Azizi added.
Physical activity is also good for your cardiovascular health, and “our heart, of course, is linked to our brain,” said Rogalski. For instance, high blood pressure increases not only your risk of heart attack, but your risk of dementia, too.
Exercise Brain Function Cognitive Processing Speed Working Memory Physical Activity
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
A case study in multi-movement therapy.In December 1993, a new form of complex brain and body (hólos) multi-movement rehabilitation began.
Read more »
'Exercise juice' released by muscles helps nerves grow, study findsClarissa Brincat is a freelance writer specializing in health and medical research. After completing an MSc in chemistry, she realized she would rather write about science than do it. She learned how to edit scientific papers in a stint as a chemistry copyeditor, before moving on to a medical writer role at a healthcare company.
Read more »
Caltech study helps explain the gut-brain connectionJon Hamilton is a correspondent for NPR's Science Desk. Currently he focuses on neuroscience and health risks.
Read more »
Study: This Simple Mindset Shift Helps Prevent Helicopter ParentingThe new Yale study revealed that parents who reframed tasks as learning opportunities overparented less, and had happier, more independent children.
Read more »
NASA Mars Orbiter Spots Retired InSight Lander to Study Dust MovementNew images taken from space show how dust on and around InSight is changing over time — information that can help scientists learn more about the Red Planet.
Read more »
A few bursts of vigorous movement a day may cut women's heart risks, study saysKaitlin Sullivan is a contributor for NBCNews.com who has worked with NBC News Investigations. She reports on health, science and the environment and is a graduate of the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at City University of New York.
Read more »