Why exercise need not only your body but also the brain

scientists predictA Potential Decline in Life Expectancy in the United States in the 21st CenturyThat because the next generation of sedentary lifestyles people live less and less. It's not just about physical health: lack of movement adversely affects the brain.

However, there is a chance to change everything with the help of aerobic exercise: running, jumping, cycling and swimming. they contributeThe influence of physical fitness and exercise upon cognitive functioning: a meta-analysis improvement of cognitive function and protect against age-related diseases associated with their reduction. We are figuring out what exactly is going on in our head while playing sports.

1. Brain activity increases

Nerve cells communicateAction potentials and synapses between a chemical and electrical means. Sometimes the electrical impulses can excite neurons at the same time the whole network - the so-formed brain waves. They differ in the frequency of the oscillation and connected to our emotional state and the type of mental activity.

Low-frequency waves are produced when we do something on the machine: brush your teeth, go to the truck or just sleep. High-frequency waves or beta waves appear when we are engaged in an active mental activity. They are associated with attention, memory and information processing.

The researchers found that aerobic exercise causesAcute aerobic exercise effects on brain wave pattern of player and non- player: A pilot study shift in the amplitude and frequency of brain waves. There is more beta waves, which means that a person in that moment more focused and concentrated.

It turns out that exercise leads you on high alert: the more active you are, the more closely and become smarter. Therefore, after exercise is the best time for learning, decision making and idea generation.

2. The brain becomes more receptive to information

This fact was able to check by examining the effects of aerobic exercise on the visual cortex activity brain. It receives and processes information about the environment, you can focus on the most significant of its characteristics - such as those that might indicate the presence of a hazard - and discard everything equally important and distracting.

studies have provenAcute Exercise Modulates Feature-selective Responses in Human CortexThat cycling enhances the brain's ability to filter and selectivity.

Also, after training the subjects underwent several cognitive tests. For example, researchers have measured the frequency of flicker - a light flashing speed at which it begins to look like a constant continuous radiation. It turned out that the human visual perception really improved and after exercise, he is able to recognize more frequent flashing.

This means that the sport helps us to be more attentive to details and not lose concentration. Active people better It focuses on the taskWithout the distraction of background noise, but it can detect emerging issues and respond to them quickly.

3. Supports brain function balance

During exercise your brain absorbs glucose or other carbohydrates. scientists have discoveredAcute Modulation of Cortical Glutamate and GABA Content by Physical ActivityThat it uses part of the "fuel" for the creation of neurotransmitters or neurotransmitters - chemicals that can transmit impulses in the nervous system.

Thus, the brain fills up their inventories, which would take him to function correctly in an emergency - in case of a long period of hunting, fleeing from danger or war.

During exercise, increased levels of glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). These are the two most important neurotransmitter of the brain that it needs for optimum performance. Glutamate - excitatory neurotransmitter, its deficiency is accompanied by lethargy, apathy and distraction. Lack of GABA, on the contrary, leads to anxiety, headaches and insomnia. This inhibitory neurotransmitter in charge of discipline, attention and tranquility.

In addition, the amount of neurotransmitters in the physical activity increases in those areas of the brain, where they are usuallyThe Benefits of Exercise for the Clinically Depressed few people with depression. This means that the exercises help to deal with depressed mood and to look at life positively.

4. The brain gets older,

In the human brain, play sports, there are several processes which deposit its aging.

First, exercise increasesThe effect of acute exercise on serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels and cognitive function production of substances that nourish new neurons to survive and help existing ones. They also contribute toInsulin-like growth factor I is required for vessel remodeling in the adult brain increase in the number of blood vessels in which nutrients are delivered to young cells. In active people strong and healthy blood vessels greaterThe effect of exercise on the cerebral vasculature of healthy aged subjects as visualized by MR angiography, So the brain is usually younger.

These structural changes usually take a few weeks. But they lead to long-term improvements in brain areas related to solving cognitive tasks. For example, aerobic exercise stimulates neurogenesis - the process of formation of neurons - in the hippocampus. But the hippocampus is responsible for memory.

In addition, older people who exercise increasesThe effect of exercise on the cerebral vasculature of healthy aged subjects as visualized by MR angiography the volume of gray matter in areas related to general intelligence and the most important function of the brain - the executive. And at a more holistic active adult white matter in the basal ganglia, responsible for coordination.

This means that sport reducesA multicenter controlled study for dementia prevention through physical, cognitive and social activities - GESTALT-kompakt the risk of developing dementia, Alzheimer's disease and other disorders of memory and thinking that can accompany aging brain. Do you want to keep a clear mind age - sport.

5. There are new connections between neurons

Over time, exercise can not only increase the number of neurons in the brain, but also change the way they interact. In one study,Differences in Resting State Functional Connectivity between Young Adult Endurance Athletes and Healthy Controls Found: at athletes who engaged in running cross country, strengthen the link between areas of the brain responsible for memory, attention, decision-making, multi-tasking and processing of sensory information. In these same areas with inactive neural connections of life with age usually heavily damaged.

Connections between neurons that are activated when a person runs - chooses the route, trying not to trip and keep pace - gradually strengthened. They remain strong even at rest. In addition, scientists have found that runners weakened due to the area of ​​the brain associated with the loss of attention - which means that the concentration-enhancing skills.

It turns out that sport makes a positive long-term effect: you can not simply better to solve intellectual problems immediately after exercise, and become smarter in principle. And if you are active enough, over the years, this power is only getting better.

Sport is not a magic pill that will make you smarter. But it will help the brain to become healthier and more active, and you - a closer, more sensible and happier.