Why Exercise Boosts Brainpower

aditi sends us a report from Reuters on research indicating that exercise boosts brainpower by building new brain cells in a brain region linked with memory and memory loss. Quoting: "Tests on mice showed they grew new brain cells in a brain region called the dentate gyrus, a part of the hippocampus that is known to be affected in the age-related memory decline that begins around age 30 for most humans. Researchers used magnetic resonance imaging scans to help document the process in mice — and then used MRIs to look at the brains of people before and after exercise. They found the same patterns, which suggests that people also grow new brain cells when they exercise."

Re:Back to Locke

[svendsen]

The really sad thing is you only need 30 mins of exercise a day and cut back on junk food to lose weight, be healthy, etc. The amount of excuses I hear is pathetic. Walk, bike, lift, get into a sport, etc. Problem is so many people think the virtual world is a better place to be.

stoners

[Anonymous Coward]

this explains why only some stoners get stupid, the lazy ones....
i personally have a good paying job and i exercise, but i'll be damned if i ever pass a drug test.

Re:Ya, I'm not so sure...

[Lumpy]

Please list the number of Nobel prise winning Boxers.

Ok, list the number of them that can name all 50 states and count without looking at their hands and feet.

sorry, but most atheletes, specifically the pound each other type are not the brightest. I've never met a smart rugby player, But they are handy in a brawl.

Re:Ya, I'm not so sure...

[svendsen]

They aren't talking about Atheletes, as there job is to be good physically over mentally. They are talking about getting basic exercise so we dont have a fat useless society.

My fiance is in the science world and of the ones we know (a ton mind you) they all do some sort of exercise. Yet of all the IT people I know (again a lot) maybe 1% actually do anything.

This is why the Wii and DS keep you going

[WillAffleckUW]

One increases your Brain Age and lets you socialize with your pets (DS), the other lets you get exercise indoors (Wii).

But in most scientific studies, the things that consistently help ameliorate the effects of aging are: mild to moderate exercise (even walking up stairs or parking 2 blocks away), a varied diet high in vegetables and fruits, drinking red wine (men) or grape juice (anyone), and more education.

How many Geek Mice do you know?

[EmbeddedJanitor]

Cross species generalisations are the basis of most of this kind of research, mainly because lab rats are cheap and sdon't complain when you kill them and copen them up to look for changes. But how much of it is really valid?

Here's an interesting anecdote: Scientists were running rats through a maze with a reward system to measure how fast they learn. Rats soon learn the optimum path and get rewarded. COnclusion: rats are smart and learn. Now substitute in a ferret. Ferret searches maze and finds the food (hunk of rabbit). Next time the ferret does not go down that path of the maze. Conclusion: ferrets are stupid and don't learn. But if you know a bit more about ferrets, then you'd know that they know it is a waste of time to go down the same hole twice. They've either eaten or scared the occupants, so don't waste time.

Brain cells, exercise, & smoking

[Keith Duhaime]

As a marathon runner over the years I have noticed something with new runners that show up at our winter-spring clinics who have recently or are trying to quit smoking. The ones that stick with the regime (about 16 weeks) that it takes to prep for a marathon I have repeatedly told me that they lose their nicotine craving almost totally, and that the running seems to be a big part of it. These are people who were previously quite hardcore smokers for a number of years. Could it be that running (and other forms of exercise) that stimulates new brain cell production also rewires the brain from its nicotine addiction in smokers?

Re:Ya, I'm not so sure...

[Big_Al_B]

Actually, I remember reading about a study that indicated genius level processing in peak performing athletes. For example, an NFL quarterback can identify 3 - 5 potential receivers, track their viability, and decide how to execute a play in under a second--while avoiding defenders.

I would argue that such ability takes a level of intelligence that, if applied to other pursuits, would be widely recognized as remarkable.

Re:Desk work

[Anonymous Coward]

Cycle to and from work. If that is not an option, maybe do exercise in your lunch break. I don't think you'll find anything that'll give you a real workout while sitting at your desk.

Re:No ONE reason exercise boosts brainpower

[rapidweather]

Bicycling for exercise:

When I started bicycling, outdoors, each day I would tackle the same hill, and see how long it took to get up there, and back down. Used one of those handlebar bicycle computers. Going up, when it got hard, lots of cuss words were appropriate to the pain and extreme effort. That in itself did not boost brainpower, the same ones seemed appropriate on each assent. Soon, I varied the ride, going other places in the same outing. Looking for some more hills, where I could exercise my verbal skills where needed. Eventually, over thousands of miles, I could easily ride 50 miles in a day, not along one road (boring), but all over the place. I lost weight, and felt healthy, at least. It is dangerous to bicycle, I broke my leg once. When I could, I just bicycled with one leg, after mending a while. That helped the circulation overall. I did notice that the leg muscle disappears when you are laid up with a broke leg.
When you bicycle, it is important to at least think that you are doing a lot, and are "setting some records". The bicycle computer helps with that, If your average speed goes down on a certain course, you are getting better at it. To shave time off that average takes a lot of planning, and you cannot falter. So, you think your are doing something. Perhaps while you are bicycling, some teenagers come along and try and outrun you. You keep up with them, and soon they tire, as they are not trained.
For all of this, you need a good bicycle, well maintained. I broke that leg because the gears slipped, were too worn, apparently, and I was applying a lot of pressure to the pedals. Not all bicycle shops fix your bike right, some just hire kids, don't replace needed parts either. Any doubt, replace a 4000 mile bike with a new one, don't take chances. You'll know when a bike is a good one, take a short test ride. There won't be any doubt, and you'll be happy to take it home with you today.
I fixed up my mountain bike with special easy-rolling tires, and "police" inner tubes, that won't go flat. Those inner tubes are so thick, they look like they belong on a motorcycle.

Re:Next Week

[EastCoastSurfer]

Google HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) and looked at the article linked. Sprinting burns more calories while doing the exercise and leads to an increased caloric usage for up to 48 hours after exercising. It also depletes a different glycogen store which leads to sprinting targeting fat more than steady state running (again read the article I originally linked or google HIIT).

If you don't want to read my link or google HIIT just trust me when I say I've switched people from steady state running to HIIT and they drop lbs like they never have. It really is that good. The only downside is that it's hard as hell. Someone needs to get their GPP up before even trying.

There is even some newer research that is pointing to people who run a lot for distance can actually gain fat in their legs. It's the bodies way of adapting and storing energy close to where it's needed.