Exercise for Brain Health

Exercise for Brain Health

• Introduction to brain health and exercise
• The neurological effects of exercise
• Exercise and the hippocampus
• Exercise and self-esteem

• Exercise and cognition
• Exercise and depression
• Exercise in children and adolescents

cognition (thinking), decreases stress and anxiety, improves self-esteem and decreases depression.

Physical activity or exercise is defined as any physical movement induced from skeletal muscle activity that results in energy expenditure and is often described as a cheaper non-drug treatment alternative, or exercise therapy, for many medical conditions  as  the benefits of exercise are widespread throughout the body system.

People who initiate and maintain a strict exercise regime report increased fitness, mood and overall quality of life. However, it is getting to this stage that is a hurdle. Psychological disturbances are often accompanied by low enthusiasm, self-esteem and motivation which all impact on an individual’s determination and ability to start up and maintain a healthy exercise regime.

hippocampus;

Decrease in brain atrophy;

Increased brain plasticity;

Increased blood flow throughout the brain;

Reduced inflammation; and

Increased availability and production of neurotransmitters.

Further evidence from animal studies have also suggested that physical activity improves neuronal survival. This means that, in some cases, if the brain is exposed to any trauma or injury it will be less likely to be permanently damaged.

hippocampus, the brain centre for learning and memory, is greatly activated during exercise. Furthermore scientists have recently discovered that exercise, especially running, increases production of brain derived growth factor (BDGF), in the hippocampus. BDGF is a chemical released in the brain that protects neurons and promotes their growth. This is believed to be a positive finding, but further studies are required to identify the direct effect increased BDGF has on memory and mood.

vicious cycle effect may exist between the two where an initial lack of physical activity can promote feelings of laziness, guilt and unattractiveness which can predispose a person to become more depressed which in turn affects motivation to begin an exercise program and so on and so forth. Exercise may be a way to break this cycle.

Fitness.
For more information on brain health, including nutrition and mental activity, see Brain Health.

 

Reference

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2. Scarmeas N, Luchsinger JA, Scupf N et al. Physical Activity, Diet, and Risk of Alzheimer Disease. JAMA. 2009; 302(6): 627-7.
3. Parfitt G, Pavey T, Rowlands AV. Children’s physical activity and psychological health: the relevance of intensity. Acta Paediatrica. 2009; 88: 1037 – 43.
4. Thorsen L, Nystad W, Stigum H, et al. The association between self-reported physical activity and prevalence of depression and anxiety disorder in long-term survivors of testicular cancer and men in a general population sample. Supportive Care in Cancer. 2005; 13(8): 637-46.
5. Sarbadhikari SN, Saha AK. Moderate exercise and chronic stress produce counteractive effects on different areas of the brain by acting through various neurotransmitter receptor subtypes: A hypothesis. Theoretical Biology and Medical Modelling. 2006; 33(3); 1-18.
6. Griesbach GS, Hovda DA, Gomez-Pinilla F. Exercise-induced improvement in cognitive performance after traumatic brain injury in rats is dependent on BDNF activation. Brain Research. 2009: 1288: 105-15.
7. van Praag H. Exercise and the brain: something to chew on. Trends in Neurosciences. 2009; 32(5):283-90.
8. Skapinakis P, Lewis G, Mavreas V. Temporal Relations Between Unexplained Fatigue and Depression: Longitudinal Data From an International Study in Primary Care. Psychosomatic Medicine. 2004; 66: 330-5.

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Article Dates:

Modified: 3/6/2010

Created: 7/12/2009

Exercise for Brain Health