“Boost Your Brain Health with Regular Exercise: The Science Behind It”

Written by Nahir Abdel Nabi

Friday, May 19, 2023 05:00 PM

It is always recommended to pay attention to exercise as it works to enhance the body muscle health And the joints also work on the formation of nerve cells and the creation of new nerve cells, which affects memory and learning, while increasing the main neurotransmitters regulating mood..

Exercise also enhances brain flexibility, which is essential for recovery from injury and aging, and improves cognitive functions such as attention and memory, according to a report published by the website. “Neuroscience News”.

Despite ongoing research, current evidence confirms the strong role of physical activity in promoting brain health and cognitive function, stressing the importance of incorporating regular exercise into our lifestyles, to achieve the following positives::

Aerobic exercise and brain volume Regular aerobic exercise such as running can increase the size of the hippocampus, preserve vital brain matter, and improve spatial memory and cognitive function..

Exercise and sleep quality. Regular physical activity can enhance sleep quality, which in turn supports memory consolidation and brain detoxification.

Physical activity and stress reduction. Exercise can help reduce stress by increasing levels of norepinephrine and endorphins, which are chemicals that moderate the brain’s stress response and promote feelings of happiness..

Rapidly developing scientific research

The neuroscience of fitness, a fascinating intersection between physical activity and brain health, is a rapidly evolving area of ​​scientific research. The neuroscience of fitness explores the profound effects of regular exercise on the brain and nervous system, revealing important implications for overall health and quality of life..

Formation of new nerve cells

One of the key discoveries is the relationship between exercise and the formation of new brain neurons, which occur primarily in the hippocampus, a region of the brain essential for learning and memory..

Regular physical activity triggers the release of a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor BDNFwhich nourishes existing neurons and encourages the growth and development of new neurons and synapses.

Aerobic exercises such as running and swimming are particularly beneficial, as they stimulate neurogenesis and, along with increasing the volume of the anterior hippocampus, lead to improved spatial memory..

Improve perception and mood

Exercise has also been linked to the preservation of white and gray matter in the frontal, temporal, and parietal cortex, regions that typically shrink with age and are vital to cognitive function..

Physical activity also increases levels of certain neurotransmitters, including serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, which are chemicals that play a key role in regulating mood, mental alertness, and focus, which could explain why physical activity is often associated with reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety..

aging resistance

Physical activity also enhances brain plasticity and its ability to adapt and form new neural connections throughout life, which is especially important for recovering from brain injury and counteracting the cognitive decline associated with aging..

The researchers suggest that the prefrontal cortex, a region of the brain responsible for these functions, responds positively to physical exercise, likely due to increased blood flow, which provides more oxygen and nutrients to the brain..

Reduce stress and inflammation

Exercise helps relieve or reduce stress by increasing concentrations of norepinephrine and endorphins, chemicals that moderate the brain’s stress response and induce feelings of happiness..

The benefits of physical fitness extend beyond the brain, as regular physical activity reduces inflammation in the body, which can positively affect the brain as chronic inflammation is linked to various neurological conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease..

But despite these promising findings, much remains to be explored in the neuroscience of fitness and questions remain about how different forms of exercise (such as aerobic vs. These influences.

However, current evidence strongly supports that regular physical activity has significant benefits for brain health and cognitive function, underlining the value of incorporating regular physical exercise into our daily lives for both physical and mental health benefits..