Students get Brainpower from Exercise
Aerobic Exercise Enhances Cognitive Performance
In a research study conducted in Ireland, exercise made a difference for students who were instructed to memorize a slideshow of photos with a stranger’s name and face. Moments later, researchers asked the students to recall the names to get an idea of their basic memory abilities. The students formed two groups, one that spent 30 minutes on an exercise bike and another that sat during that time. Finally, each group was asked to recall the names again and to do a blood test.
The group of students that exercised showed significant cognitive performance enhancement. Their blood had more brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a newly discovered key to unlocking nerve cell health. The researchers found these cognitive benefits to occur immediately after exercise. The benefits of long-term exercise were even greater.
Get Moving, Don’t Be a Statistic
Aerobic exercise is an essential way to keep your mind sharp. Sadly, 80% of American adults do not get the recommended “150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity, or 75 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity” according to a recent survey done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Only 23% of men and 18% of women get enough exercise.
You can greatly enhance your mental performance by working out more. Do you exercise at least one hour every day? Tell me why you do or don’t, leave a reply!