The Benefits of Exercise – Exercise can boost our memory!
So far the benefits we have discussed all seem fairly obvious.
Exercise helps us to
But can exercise help improve our memory?
Well, research has found that exercise can enhance how we think and improve our memory. One study that followed 2 747 over the course of 25 years found that those who were fitter performed better on tests measuring memory[i]. Another study examined a group of people 60 years and older with memory problems. The half that did 12 months of exercise showed a 47 percent improvement in memory scores compared to the other half which did stretching.[ii]
How does it work?
What is on of the first things you notice when go for a run or a cycle or do any sort of ‘cardio’?
Your heart rate goes up, right? Well this means your heart is pumping more blood around your body to help you move those legs on the treadmill.
But it also means that your brain has more blood going to it. And blood has oxygen in it which means your brain is getting more oxygen.[iii]
Well this new oxygen actually helps your brain to grow! Yes…grow! This increased oxygen leads to neurogenesis (the process of making more neurons) in the parts of the brain that are responsible for memory and thinking. A study at the University of British Columbia found that regular aerobic exercise appears to increase the size of the part of the brain involved in learning and verbal memory (the hippocampus)[iv]. So your brain actually gets bigger with exercise![v]
Exercise also promotes the production of neurotrophins. Neuro what?! Neurotrophins actually help neurons survive and function which further helps memory and learning.[vi]
Lastly, new evidence is suggesting that exercise actually affects our genes. Recent studies have shown that exercise affects our genes which lead to greater neuroplasticity and memory processes.[vii]
Conclusion
So while we are often told to exercise to help us maintain a healthy weight, get stronger and feel better, we seldom get told to exercise to improve our memory. However, through increased blood flow, increase in neurotrophins and genetic changes, exercise can help grow our brains and improve our memory.
[i] https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-does-exercise-benefit-cognition/.
[ii] https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200520084123.htm
[iii] https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-fifth-vital-sign/201901/why-exercise-is-good-yourbrain
[iv] https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/regular-exercise-changes-brain-improve-memory-thinking-skills-201404097110.
[v] Van Praag, H. (2008). Neurogenesis and exercise: past and future directions. Neuromolecular medicine, 10(2), 128-140.
[vi] Livingston, G., Sommerlad, A., Orgeta, ., Costafreda, S. G., Huntley, J., Ames, D…& Cooper, C. (2017). Dementia prevention, intervention, and care. The Lancet, 390(10113), 2673-2734.
[vii] Mandolesi, L., Polverino, A., Montuori, S., Foti, F., Ferraioli, G., Sorrentino, P., & Sorrentino, G. (2018). Effects of Physical Exercise on Cognitive Functioning and Wellbeing: Biological and Psychological Benefits. Frontiers in psychology, 9, 509. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00509
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