High Intensity Exercise's Positive effects on Brain Efficiency

Link: https://www.mensjournal.com/health-fitness/you-can-increase-your-brainpower-some-heart-pounding-high-intensity-exercise/

Summary: High- intensity exercise is an exercise routine that has gained popularity throughout the years. High intensity exercise is commonly referred to as HIIT. Much of the popularity of this form of new exercise has been due to its array of health benefits not only physically but mentally. This article summarizes the basic effects of HIIT such as weight loss, a good work out on a lack of time, and the release of “feel good chemicals”. However HIIT can affect more than just good time management, and weight loss, but it can also affect brain health. HIIT exercise is often associated with short bursts through-out the workout. This has been noted to improve memory. More than that, the article notes that there is an increase growth in compounds that help brain cells survive and function better. The article notes a research study done by McMaster University. This study had 95 people do a high- intensity workout routine, exercises and brain training, or neither. This study lasted for 6 weeks. The results showed that those who exercised did better on memory tests, and the participants who exercised also had more protein that supported brain cells. All of this is to show further evidence that exercise and better memory, and other increased brain functions have a strong correlation. The article also notes that this form of exercise also helps “establishes the link between aerobic exercise and better academic performance”. The article also lists Doctor Heisz, an assistant professor in the department of kinesiology at McMaster suggesting that HIIT can have benefits on conditions that come with age like dementia. Essentially the article seeks to show how exercise specifically HIIT has a direct relation with increased memory levels, and better academic performances.

Reflection: This article stood out because it speaks on the benefits of exercise on not only memory, but academic performance and overall brain function. This relates back to similar functions of the brain mentioned in a few past classes in Human Development and Adolescent Psychology. In Human Development it was noted to be highly encouraged among people of all ages and gender. One of the many reasons that it was noted to be suggested was due to its positive effect on combating stress, and depression. Much of exercise’s positive effect on stress, and depression was due to its release of happy chemicals aka endorphins. It also was described as being a domino effect. Because exercise helps one feel good it also leads to looking good, performing well, and other benefits which allow one to help avoid situations where stress may be present in today’s society. In this class exercise was also noted like in the article to help fight off long term diseases like Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Exercise was described as keeping the brain functioning like a car getting an oil change so to speak.  

                In Adolescent Psychology exercise was seen as positive and promoted better grades in teens and young adolescents. Due to the similar effects of exercise’s positive results on memory, adolescent’s grades were noted to improve.  Reduce of stress was also noted in exercise and physical activity among adolescents. Adolescence is a time of great change within the body and out of the body so the body is more vulnerable to stress. Because of this, exercise was noted in this class as a useful tool in combatting against stress and performing well academically. Exercise was also noted as a positive mean for fighting off obesity to no surprise. There were many studies listed in this class that students or teens that exercised or had physical activity had better overall health physically, and felt better about themselves compared to their non- exercising counterparts.

                In Physiological Psychology exercise was also noted to have a direct benefit on memory, and preventing Dementia and similar diseases. Within the brain the hippocampus is directly affected by exercise. Exercise increases blood flow throughout the body which causes oxygen to go to the brain. The hippocampus is largely responsible for memory and emotions. Because there is an increased blood flow throughout the brain there is more cell growth in the brain as well with an increase in white blood cells. This promotes a healthier functioning hippocampus which provides evidence of a direct effect of how exercise can positively affect memory. Along with helping memory, exercise also has been noted to help with other learning functions. This also takes place in the hippocampus. Exercise also helps with sleep improvement. Part of this was learned in the previous classes that stress can interfere with sleep and bring about multiple sleep issues. So by having exercise as a way to combat stress it can be an avenue to help better sleep and decrease the chances of other negative diseases. These are few of the many ways exercise can positively affect the brain.