For decades, philosophers and researchers have always maintained that there is a strong link between physical activity and the human mind. From curing emotions like depression to improving the overall cognitive power and memory; research has indicated that the effects of exercise are many. In fact, many elderly people resort to exercise as a solution for treating their age-related memory conditions like Alzheimer’s disease.
But, how exactly does physical training assist in stimulating the neurons of the brain? In recent decades, there has been increasing interest leading to a growing research body globally to analyze this relationship between cognition and acute physical training. Studies were particularly conducted to analyze the effects on particular cognitive functions like verbal training abilities, mathematical calculations, short term memory as well as reasoning.
One major question that arises after analyzing the various researches and studies conducted so far is that whether all individuals get the same levels of emotional and cognitive benefits from exercise. To understand this, it is important to know more about the brain-protein, Brain-derived neurotrophic factor or BDNF.
Active in certain portions of the brain including the cortex and hippocampus, BDNF plays a major role in facilitating the growth, differentiation and synapses of new neurons in the human brain. Apart from this, the protein also helps in the survival of already existing neurons both in the brain and the peripheral nervous systems.
As such, it is very essential for the body to have undisrupted or continued secretion of BDNF. Several studies conducted earlier have indicated that decreased production may lead to cognitive conditions like dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and Schizophrenia.
According to a study published in the journal, Neuroscience in April, 2012, the level of BDNF production varies among exercising individuals. Genetic tests conducted have shown that some people derive more cognitive benefits from exercising while some others benefit less. This is because a certain gene variation in the body that controls BDNF production leads to less cognitive benefits in certain people.
These results were found by conducting a 4-week test on a group of individuals, some of which were asked to exercise during the period while the others were asked to lead a sedentary lifestyle. The training program involved exercising for at least around 30 minutes four days a week.
Following the completion of the test period, both the test groups were checked for improvement in their cognitive functions. The results were then matched with the test results which were conducted prior to the four-week period.
The comparison revealed that those who exercised regularly indeed had improved scores as compared to the sedentary test group. Another surprising finding was that those who exercised during the last 4-weeks but did not work out on the test date had more anxiety levels than those who worked out during the test date as well.
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