Exercise On The Brain : How Does Physical Activity Helps Our Brain And Mind? Essay

Participation in physical activity has been shown to have many health benefits for older adults; this study does not provide strong support that it protects against cognitive decline. Reports have been made that physical activity may help guard against stroke and coronary heart disease, both of which may be associated with the development of dementia. Some studies were either limited in their scope or had short follow-up times. In all they find that for older adults, physical activity alone may not protect against cognitive decline. (By Charnicia E. Huggins: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/exerciseforseniors.html)

Cavanaugh and Blanchard-Fields (2015) state that there is research showing how brain plasticity can be enhanced through aerobic exercise (p.51). It is important that adults be active in their lives. A 30-minute walk or some type of physical activity will benefit them as the age. The text mentions a study done by Erickson and his colleagues in 2009 where they studied the effect of aerobic exercise on the hippocampus. They found that due to aerobic exercise it produced greater volume in the hippocampus. This is significant because the hippocampus is the part of the brain that is responsible for memory, emotions, and spatial functioning. The body does not only need physical activities to produce healthier cognitive functioning but also nutrients. The text identifies three nutrient biomarker patterns that are significant on the aging brain. These nutrients are vitamin B, C,D, and E, omega-3, and trans fat. the foods that belong to these nutrients are beneficial to the brain. Older adults should make an effort to include these nutrients into their diets. positive impacts these nutrients make are better cognitive functioning and greater brain

This article is about the prevention of the Alzheimer’s risk. Alzheimer disease is also called senile dementia. It is a disease where people lost their memories. This research was done at UCLA Medical Center and University of Pittsburgh. The researchers gathered the participants to do experiment on whether the physical activities benefits to reduce the Alzheimer’s risk. According to the article, the outcome of the experiment showed that increase in physical activities related with larger brain volumes. “Individuals experiencing this brain benefit from increasing their physical activity experienced a 50% reduction in their risk of Alzheimer's dementia.” The researchers actually prove that if you increase your physical activity, then there is

Similarly, however, the brain benefits from lifting weights in general. In “Lifting Weights, Twice a Week, May Aid the Brain,” an article discussing the relativity of weight lifting on the brain, Gretchen Reynolds suggests that resistance training is important to delaying the vulnerability of the brain with time. Reynolds reviews statistics that support exercise in slowing the process of lesions in the brain of white matter (which is the material that connects and passes messages between different brain regions). Because time ultimately catches up with us, Reynolds contemplates the effect that lifting weights has on the brain, as it does the muscles of the body, in order to demonstrate that importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The article says that “a minimum threshold of exercise needs to be achieved” as a way to gain the attention of the older

Research has proven that physical activity improves cognitive function and can also improve brain function throughout a lifespan. Moreover, staying physically active has so many benefits as well. For example, doing exercise and fitness activities help build cells and natural pathways to help reduce changes in memory loss or dementia. Also, it has so many health benefits including long-term improvements to the cognitive function as the young adult reaching mid

There is ample evidence to demonstrate that through the normal ageing process alterations to the brain in structure and function are directly related to cognitive changes (Glisky, 2007). With an increasing ageing population strategies for prevention of disease and age related cognitive decline are necessary to improve quality of life and reduce the associated healthcare costs (Australian Government Productivity Commission [AGPC], 2013). Physical exercise is known to be crucial in maintaining physiological health; it can also be used as a means of neuroprotection and assist in modifiable risk factors for improved brain health and subsequent cognitive function. This review will critically analyse current research into the effects of exercise

The articles by Erikson et al., Gatz, Korol et al., and Draganski et al. explore the concept of increased physical activity and/or mental activity having effects on the cognitive function and development or deterioration of the brain as we age. Although I agree that physical exercise is critical in increasing cognitive function because of the health benefits it provides, as well as the increased blood flow and circulation throughout the body, I ultimately believe that a healthy brain is not achieved solely by physical exercise or mental exercise, but both. I think there is a link between physical and mental exercise, and that the combination of these two activities creates higher cognitive functioning of the mind as well as the body. The mind and body come together and meet to make an overall healthy individual.

A study in 2001 showed slowed rates of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. When young and old people were tested, the brains of older people who exercised functioned as well as the brains of young people who did not exercise. In older women, walking also slows the rate of mental decline. Between 30 and 90, 15 to 25 percent of the brain tissue can be lost. Some losses are significant, such as the gray matter, which is associated with learning and memory. The natural deterioration of gray matter was much higher in older people who didn’t exercise versus those who did. Additionally, balance, muscles, and joints tend to function at a less higher level than in previous years without

You CAN grow younger and one of the best anti-aging action steps is exercise. But 'use it or lose it' doesn't apply only to muscle fitness or sex. It also applies to the brain.

As age increases, we can expect some loss of heart, lung, joint, and sexual functioning. Some loss of brain cells and mental efficiency is a normal part of

Among the United States the number of elderly adults is steadily rising, and it is said that the age group of 65+ is predicted to double in the next 30 years. This age group has been linked with a decrease in muscle strength and mass, which in turn, directly correlates to how we function on a day-today basis, mobility, risk of falling, and depression levels. Within this paper, I have chosen to analyze how strength conditioning can heavily impact elderly individuals. As we all know, nothing lasts forever, and over time we tend to put a lot of wear and tear on our bodies. Nevertheless, maintaining a well-oiled machine is key for keeping us up and running. However, there is no one-size-fits-all routine to guarantee this, and thus,

The human brain is constantly changing where many new neurons are formed while others neurons die and new synapses are created while other synapses are removed (Spalding et al., 2013). Some dendrites will withdraw while other dendrites continue branching (Killgore et al., 2013). The processes driving the reshaping of the brain are neuroplasticity and neurogenesis. Neuroplasticity is the brain’s lifelong ability to rewire neural connections to compensate for diseases and injuries or in response to changes in the environment, whereas neurogenesis is the ability to create new neurons and neural connections. This dynamic process of remodeling gray matter is determined mainly by a person’s genetics and can slow down due to age (Denes, 2016). However, recent scientific evidence demonstrates other non-genetic factors that can significantly improve the development of the brain and slow down neurodegeneration (Kays et al., 2012). Physical exercise has always been linked to a person’s physical health, but many recent scientific studies shows physical exercise can also keep a person’s brain sharp. Exercise affects the brain in numerous ways by creating a flourishing environment for brain growth, aiding the release of numerous hormones, and fighting against depression, stress, and anxiety.

In the study, the elderly individuals were randomized into two separate groups. The first group partook in an aerobic walking program and the control group participated in a stretching and toning class. Throughout the year, MRI’s were conducted to detect any changes in the brain systems functioning from a baseline MRI. The research found that the walking group showed a greater improvement in various areas of functioning, such as improving the brains connection networks.

The beginning and an end. The start and the finish. Once something begins, it will eventually come to an end. But, that true, does everything in the universe actually end? Numbers; a start with no finish. Numbers, something so simple, yet so complex. An infinite creation of the human mind subdued by our unmeasurable human intelligence. This is all capable due to the human brain. The brain is the most complex and unique organ in the human body. Some even considerable it a muscle. Similar to muscles, your brain can be trained and worked for better functionality. But, did you that there’s a direct connection between exercising and increased intelligence in humans? In this paper I will be backing up my statement that human intelligence can be increased due to exercise. I will also give a view on the opposite side, using research that hypothetically disproves the idea that human intelligence can be gained through exercise. Then, I will be evaluating my claim, backing up my point by applying reason, utilizing the four tests of an argument and taking advantage of my critical thinking skills to validate my claim. Lastly, I will be concluding and synthesizing my argument.

Physical Activity is undeniably good for everyone, not only does it keep you fit and healthy but when started at a young age, it can set up good habits for life. Sometimes however, people do not take care of their physical wellbeing, resulting in obesity and other eating disorders which can be detrimental to their health.