Posted: 04/04/07

Exercise not only for your body, but for your brain
New study shows neuron growth related to exercise

Amanda Pelley | contributing writer
apelley@smcvt.edu

Several studies have been conducted in an attempt to prove that exercise not only benefits your body physically, but improves your ability to memorize and learn.

According to a recent article published in the New York Times, working out may stimulate the growth of neurons in a part of the brain associated with memory loss.

Human brain growth

Sophomore Jamie Minchello running on the treadmill in the gym at St. Michael's College (Amanda Pelley, photo)

Before this experiment was performed with actual people, researchers at Columbia University turned to rodents to test if new neurons did develop in the memory part of the brain.

The researchers, led by Scott Small, an associate professor of neurology, performed the experiment on mice prior to experimenting with a group of 11 volunteers.

“Cardiovascular activity is not only beneficial for your body and your heart, but it can significantly increase the brains capacity in memorizing,” Judith Laniewski, physical therapist says. “The recent study showed new neurons specifically in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus, which is the control area of the brain for memory and learning.”

As one ages, cognitive abilities begin to decline, she says.

“It is fantastic knowing you can do something for yourself,” Laniewski says. “Those who are prone to Alzheimer’s disease are now provided with ways to prevent cognitive decline.”

According to an article, the team tested two different cages filled with 23 mice in each. In one cage, running wheels were provided and in the other they weren’t. After two weeks the scientists gave the mice a shot of dye to detect new brain cells. In the following month, the scientists checked the mice’s brains to find evidence of new brain cells and an increase in blood-flow in the memory related area of the exercised mice. The other 23 mice who were not given running wheels showed no signs of new neurons in their brain or any increase in bloodflow.

Following the test with mice, the researchers found 11 volunteers who all had a below-average exercise regimen and an average age of 33. Prior to the experiment, the volunteers completed fitness and memory tests and a brain scan.

The volunteers were assigned to work out four times a week, for three months. Upon completion, the volunteers were tested a second time for their memory and fitness level.

The tests showed overall improvements including increased blood flow in the memory related brain area, and a significantly higher score on the memory test. Researchers are unaware of what exact exercises contributed to the improvement of the brain, or the required length of workouts for this to take affect.

Comparative results

Previous studies have been conducted involving different areas of concern specifically in the elderly, and those who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease.

“They’ve had elderly people who are more prone to Alzheimer’s disease exercise everyday and found a significant decrease in people who were diagnosed,” says Dr. Melissa vanderKaay, assistant professor of psychology at St. Michael’s College.

It’s an exciting study, vanderKaay says. Vigorous exercise keeps you healthy and increases your brain functioning.

A junior from the St. Michael's soccer team works out in off-season. (Amanda Pelley, photo)

“Aging is going to happen no matter what,” she says, “but you can age gracefully with your body and your mind by keeping a healthy diet, exercising for your heart and for your brain, and also by incorporating mental activities into your regimen.”

Introducing mental activities into your daily agenda, you can improve mental functioning and prevent brain aging.

“It has been proven that simple activities like Sudoku, crossword puzzles, computer games, and even videogames keep your brain functioning,” vanderKaay says.

According to an article published in the Washington Post, a federally funded study was performed where 10 sessions of brain exercises were incorporated into 2,802 healthy adults lives, whose average age was 23.

The study proved that the people who followed the basic exercises and who continued to do them were three times as fast as those who received only the initial sessions involving daily living.

Other reasons to get to the gym

For years people have associated physical activity with improving overall health. Many people are not aware that just by exercising, one can increase his or her chances of living a longer life. Overwhelming evidence has proven that people who exercise are less likely to die early, or to experience major illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes and colon cancer according to www.bupa.com, an online health Web site.

Now that it is clear exercise has a number of benefits involving body and brain, several people say exercising just puts them in a better mood.

“I always feel great after I work out,” says sophomore and athlete, Kristen Salierno. “I couldn’t imagine not being active for more than a couple days at a time, I would just feel like crap.”

Salierno isn’t the only gym-attendee who would feel lost without a consistent routine of exercise in their lives.

“If I don’t exercise at least a few times a week, I think I would go into a state of depression,” junior Julie Carey says.

Sophomore Molly DiMasi exercises in the weight room. (Amanda Pelley, photo)

It is proven that exercise does in fact reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. According to an article posted by the Mayo Clinic, research suggests that it may take at least 30 minutes of exercise a day for at least three to five days a week to significantly improve symptoms of depression. However, smaller amounts of activity – as little as 10 to 15 minutes at a time – have been shown to improve mood in the short term.

It is not exactly certain as to why exercising can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, but evidence has suggested that it positively affects the levels of certain mood-enhancing neurotransmitters, according to the Mayo Clinic article. According to the same study, the article suggests exercise may also boost feel-good endorphins, release tension in muscles, help you sleep better and reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol. It also increases body temperature, which studies have said can cause a calming effect.