The Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Brain Function
Aerobic exercise has been proven to bring many benefits to the body with improving areas such as strength, balance, endurance, etc. But what changes occur in the brain as a result of aerobic exercise and are these changes constant or vary depending upon the person?
Evidence-Based Points:
- Aerobic exercise in acute bouts (in one sitting) can bring enhancements in attention, working memory, and processing speed along with increased blood flow and event-related potentials. Where even the smallest amounts of aerobic exercise can bring benefits to the brain while having a short duration of effects.
- May lead to increases in brain-derived neurotrophic factors (BDNF) which can cause mood regulation for younger and middle-aged adults. Lower levels of BDNF have been linked to mood disorders like depression and anxiety, so an increase can help better the mental state of others.
- For older adults, aerobic exercise can bring a major shift in cognition as it can strengthen white matter integrity in frontal regions of the brain which is responsible for carrying nerve signals through different parts of the brain. Leading to better memory performance and processing speed.
Practical Applications:
- Aerobic exercise may slow age-related neurological decline in older adults that may lead to a better quality of life overall. Emphasizing the importance of exercise to maintain the body and the control system of the body being the brain.
- Becoming a choice of treatment for mental health as a large population suffer from the complications of it all around the world. Leading to not only positive brain changes but a better environment for others as well. Allowing people to interact more profusely and make the world a better place.
Additional Resources:
1. A couple of aerobic exercises and movements to improve your mood and to consider when feeling down
2. Different levels of intensity regarding aerobic exercise and examples on where to start for different populations depending on your situation
Aerobic Exercise for Brain Health: Benefits and How to Get Them
My name is Andy De Leon and I am a senior at Westfield State University. I aim to graduate with a bachelor's degree in Movement Science with a concentration in Sports Medicine in spring 2026 while planning to become a personal trainer. I can be reached at andydeleon589@gmail.com
References
Comments
Post a Comment