Exercise Increases Brain Size

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http://neurosciencenews.com/exercise-brain-size-7928/

Article Summary: This study examined how aerobic exercise increases the size of the left region of the hippocampus in the brain. The hippocampus is critical for memory along with other brain functions. The human brain shrinks an average of five per cent every decade after the age of forty. The study was conducted by examining participants brain scans before and after taking an aerobic exercise program over the course of time. Researchers found that the size of the left region of the hippocampus significantly increased but the volume of the hippocampus did not. These results show that exercise creates maintenance for the brain by producing a chemical called brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF). This chemical can aid in  reducing brain deterioration. This research shows that aerobic exercise helps slow down brain deterioration and could possibly prevent age-related disorders such as Alzheimer's and Dementia.


Relation to Psychology: The information from this article can be applied to to John Medina’s “Brain Rules” book we read in physiological psychology class. Brain Rule #2 discusses the cognitive benefits provided by exercise. Exercise creates more blood vessels and increases blood flow throughout the brain. This allows oxygen and nutrients to get to the brain more easily. Research the article refers to supports Medina’s “golden standard” of aerobic exercise several days a week to improve brain cognition. The concept of ageing related to an individuals exercising habits has been discussed in this text and our physiological psychology class. The information in this article supports these earlier discussions by stating that exercise is one of the best ways to improve cognitive aging. Exercise can help reduce deterioration of the brain. Age-related brain deterioration problems such as Alzheimer's and Dementia are common illnesses addressed in the field of psychology. Making the important cognitive benefits of exercising  more well known could help save the ageing population from age-related mental illnesses.   

Comments

  1. Roya NajafaliNovember 14, 2017 at 6:33 PM

    Exercise is great for the body overall, but amazing that research may be able to show that it can increase the left region of the hippocampus. As stated the hippocampus is critical for memory and other brain functions. Also, great job tying in the Brain Rules because I did as well. I feel that more research must be done on this topic. What do you think, does more research need to be done? Reading this article I've noticed that this has really opened up a lot of opportunity for research done by psychologists on the brain and the amount of exercise a person does.

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  2. UnknownNovember 15, 2017 at 7:32 PM

    It is amazing to discover how exercise influences the brain and body. In my cognitive psychology course, I've learned a lot about how exercise affects the brain. Not only does aerobic exercise increase the hippocampus, it also improves cognitive functioning in the frontal lobes of the brain. There is an increase in working memory, and the ability to engage and switch between tasks. As humans age, the brain tends to shrink, and there is a decline in areas such as, the frontal, parietal, and temporal lobes. This is why it is important that we exercise regularly.

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  3. Laura BrownholtzNovember 16, 2017 at 11:38 AM

    Interesting article! I enjoyed how you tied in the Brain Rules assignment because the exercise portion of that text was by far the most insightful for me to read. As we know exercise is a great thing to do for body and offers endless health benefits, but I find it extremely interesting that it can actually increase the left portion of the hippocampus. As we have learned in class the hippocampus is a vital structure and is essential for memory. As someone that can be frustrated with remembering certain things it makes me wonder if increasing the amount I exercise would improve that.

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  4. UnknownNovember 16, 2017 at 1:02 PM

    It was amazing to learn the physiological effects exercise has on the brain, not only the body. As you mentioned how in Brain Rules, exercise can prevent deterioration in the brain that can lead to dementia. It's interesting to know the direct impact exercise has specifically on the hippocampus which explains the improvements with memory functioning. It is definitely crucial to maintain physical activity to help with certain things that become more difficult with aging, especially with combating stress, another topic from Brain Rules explained the direct combat exercise has on getting rid of the toxins associated with stress therefore creating better mental health and prolonging a healthy brain.

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  5. Collin MorleyNovember 17, 2017 at 12:19 AM

    It was great to see the relation of the article to the Brain Rules assignment. Exercise is so critical for our mental health and seeing that it increases the left side of our hippocampus really backs up what was said in Brain Rules. Last semester i use to work out everyday after class and not only did i have more energy to pay attention in my classes, but i also retained information better and got the best GPA Ive had so far in college. I also found it interesting that the brain decreases in size by 5 percent every 10 years after 40. That also shows how important it is to be healthy before you reach that age to be sure to keep your cognition well as you enter middle adulthood.

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