How to become smarter, doing sports

When neuroscientist Wendy Suzuki (Wendy Suzuki), PhD and professor at New York University, was approaching fortieth anniversary, she began to exercise regularly after years of idleness. And, while engaged in the gym on the treadmill or on the dance floor, began to notice that the change of training not only the body but also the brain for the better.

The immediate effect of exercise on mood and thought processes was the best motivator. Dr. Suzuki has decided that these changes provoke far-reaching effects, changing our lives and behavior. Their she decided to study.

First on the list comes the obvious effect that is easy to apply in practice the exercise take off stress. Physical education - a reliable way to get rid of anxiety, because it causes the instantaneous production of neurotransmitters, including serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine and endorphins. It is their and lacking in depression. Therefore, a half hour on the treadmill or simulator destroy negative emotions that arise from the daily stresses.

Exercise increases the ability to concentrate and switch attention

Even non-permanent training gives such the effect. Heightened attention comes along with increased current blood. And no matter what you have done for this: a walk with the dog or had a full-CrossFit workout. These findings can be used. Before serious speech or meeting, at which you will need all the concentration and the ability to pre-arrange a training to be at the peak of brain activity.

However, the best motivation in terms of neurophysiology - a positive impact of training on the hippocampus.

Hippocampus - a brain structure that is responsible for the formation of long term memory. This pair formation, one part of it is in the right hemisphere, and the other - on the left. This unique structure, because it has lifelong new nerve cells are formed (neurogenesis in adults).

Studies carried out in rodents have shown that intense exercise It improves memory. Increases the number of new hippocampal cells and increases the vitality of the old. Exercises promote long-term growth of cells, because instantly raise the level of brain derived neurotrophic factor (a protein that stimulates the development of the nervous system). One can even imagine a chain: you are doing, and the protein triggers the growth of a huge number of nerve cells.

So, there is reason to enroll in a gym. But the influence of physical activity on the brain does not end there.

Exercise helps to learn

Bonus: exercise makes us happier.

Imagine how the education system will change if the educational process will take into account the effect of exercise on mood, stress levels, concentration and memory. Training to improve the basic functions of the brain, evidence of this is becoming more and more. Schools and universities, it is time to increase the physical activity of students. Students will better absorb information and learn to become happy. By the way, the positive effects are even physical education in preschool children.

We dream that one day will be a magic pill that will make us productive, successful and sexy (just like in the movie "Limitless»). The real magic is hidden not in the tablets, and in the training mode.

This offer scientists. Physical education can optimize cognitive function of people regardless of age, level of training and physical capabilities. If the training will be the usual occupation for the majority of adults and children, society will not only be healthier and safer, but also more productive.

Exercises are pushing imagination and creativity

Recent studies have shown that the hippocampus also enables represent new situations. We already know that the sport provokes the growth of new nerve cells in the hippocampus, improving memory. Hence, the imagination can be developed through training.

This idea has not yet been tested on humans, but the hypothesis is that exercise improves creativity in adults at work and enhances the imagination of children in school. As a result, the pros feel the whole society.

There are also other positive effects that you find later. For example, if a long time to train on a regular basis, reduces the risk of dementia and loss of cognitive function in the elderly. In part, this is due to all the same to new cells in the hippocampus, which continue to grow, if you stick to the regime of training.

Of course, to make plans for many decades ahead like a few. But if this month, more people come to the gym to stay there, they would be able to prevent the weakening of mental activity, and to save on medication. This is a problem for many countries in which the population is aging, including for Russia.

More broadly, the neurophysiology offers us a tool to improve the quality of education, improve productivity and fight against brain aging. So that the upcoming beach season - is not the only motivation for training. Physical activity can change your whole life.