Sport activities help to become more intelligent and maintain sanity in old age

It is obvious that we can build muscle, constantly exercising and increasing endurance. But is it possible to become more intelligent, by acting in this way?

The significance of this issue does not give in to doubt. One of the universal effects of aging is felt by all - cognitive decline.

Brain Area of ​​importance for memory is reduced by 1-2% annually since 55 years.

It is no wonder that people are so insistent are turning their attention to all sorts of drugs, "the mind", vitamins and medicines that promise to maintain the normal functioning of the brain, even in old age.

The idea that you can develop your mental abilities seem seductive and optimistic. Eventually, the brain ceases to learn and change throughout life. This property is neuroplasticity, helping him adjust to the impact of external stimuli. Maybe we should use it to develop their own cognitive skills?

Games and work tasks

Several years ago, the BBC and the University of Cambridge conducted a large-scale study to explore the possibility of brain training. The question that they were interested in, concerned gymnastics for thought: Does she really can make you smarter?

To test selected about 11 thousand people, who were involved in the solution of problems in the past six weeks, every day for 10 minutes. The subjects were divided into three groups: first coached logic thinking and crisis; the second - a short-term memory, attention and mathematical ability; The third group was a control and was engaged in what was looking for answers to complex questions.

Before you begin your workout and at the end of the six weeks of training, all participants of the experiment have been a sort of IQ-test. The results showed that those who engaged in the development of specific skills have really improved their ability to solve similar types of problems. However, the overall level of intelligence of groups of participants virtually unchanged. So I rely on all kinds of games and applicationsPromising to develop your brain, especially not worth it.

Sports make you smarter

Seeing that the mind exercises can not develop your intellectual abilities, do not dive into a panic or disorder. There are other ways to help improve cognitive skills and brain function. It turns out, physical activity It operates efficiently, helping to increase the number of neurons.

Mice that regularly run in the wheel for 45 days, showed a surprising result: in their hippocampus (Area of ​​the brain responsible for memory consolidation) have more neurons than those animals that do not "Train".

Exploring the impact of sport on the human, the scientists carried out experiment. They studied a group of older people with mild cognitive impairment. Participants were divided into three teams. The first dealt with weight training, second - aerobic exercise, a third were those and other loads. The researchers found that all the subjects were able to improve spatial memory, simply exercising according to regulations.

Other experiment He showed that women who regularly engaged in weightlifting twice for one year in the week, the brain slowly decreases than those who do the exercises once a week. However, it is still unclear exactly how it affects the mental faculties.

Why physical activity improves brain function? One assumption is that in the body increases levels of the protein BDNF - brain-derived neurotrophic factor. He is responsible for the stimulation and neuronal development. That's why exercise influence on the increase in the hippocampus, and thus, improve memory.

On the other hand, the adverse and negative events, such as severe depressionMay reduce the level of neurotrophic factor, cause a decrease in the hippocampus and cause cognitive impairment. Because antidepressants not only improve mood, but also to block the state caused by falling levels of BDNF. In some cases, these drugs can be considered neuroprotective.

Do not trust stimulants

But, of course, exercise is difficult. We need the capacity for self-discipline, willingness to work, do not give up and do not give up. Sure, you would like to know if there is a magic pill that would make everything for you herself? Such drugs called stimulants, and they are very popular among students.

Unambiguous evidence that stimulants help to improve brain function, no. The only thing they are really useful - is to strengthen the ability to quickly recall previously known information.

All other myths that stimulants help in creativity, develop thinking and memory, are not supported. Rather, these drugs block the normal flow of mental processes, but evoke the feeling of anxiety and concern.

Through research, the participants of which were young healthy adolescents. Stimulants were given a randomly selected volunteers, the rest got a placebo. After taking the drug to teenagers offered to get tested for creative thinking, which consists of four modules. It turned out that the stimulant has helped to improve the result only for the test, where the guys offered to make parts of the picture so that it has again become whole.

The conclusion is obvious: you can develop your mental capacity. More importantly, you can use your natural potential to the full, and save it in old age. Glance in the direction of stimulants and pills are not necessary. Wear shorts, sneakers and go in for sports.