Previous Thema

Exercise Boosts Brain Power

Exercise helps to increase circulation, improves coordination and helps prevent conditions such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes, which increases the risk of developing dementia. Exercise may increase the number of capillaries which help new cells grow.

Exercise stimulates patterns of neural activity that create more connections between different brain areas and causes nerve cells to produce natural brain nutrients = “neurotrophins”(Neurotrophins increase the Size and Complexity of Nerve Cell Dendrites (study pg. 140-141) Duke University Medical Center)

Arthur Kramer, Ph.D., a researcher from the Univ. of Illinois, used MRIs to show that exercise actually increases the size of the hippocampus (which is responsible for the formation of memory).

An EEG showed more activity in “Fit” kids’ brains, indicating that more neurons involved in attention were being recuperated for a given task. – (Ratey, 2008). Ratey also showed that information is received, processed and stored in the brain more quickly.

University of Illinois cardiovascular fitness is associated with the sparing of brain tissue in aging humans. Furthermore, these results suggest a strong biological basis for the role of aerobic fitness in maintaining and enhancing central nervous system health and cognitive functioning in older adults.

Aerobic exercise just twice a week halves your risk of general dementia. It cuts your risk of Alzheimer’s by 60 percent (more research needs to be done in this area).

Steps to keeping your brain & body Fit:

  • Keep physically active
  • Stay mentally involved
  • Keep things novel
  • Learn a new skill
  • Utilize polyrhythmic skills
  • Repeat what you learn often
  • Integrate the senses
  • Eye aerobics – wiggle your eyes
  • Utilize positive “Self-Talk”
  • Integrate vestibular and auditory stimulation
  • Reduce stress
  • Eat “brain” foods
  • Maintain proper weight
  • Sleep well / take snooze breaks

Be aware of things that can affect your cognitive (brain) and physical health:

  • Stress
  • High cholesterol levels
  • Sleep apnea
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Failure to recognize loss of hearing
  • Lack of social contact