How Running Benefits Your BRAIN, Not Only Your Body!
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Running is good for our overall health - that's obvious.
But did you know that running was not only good for your body, but also for your brain?
Countless studies over the last few years have shown that regular physical activity, and especially an aerobic activity like running has several positive effects on our brain health, -growth, and -function.
There are actually many of these effects and some of them haven't quite been tested yet.
This is only a selection of benefits that running has on the brain, which had been conducted in studies from the recent years:
![img](https://steemitimages.com/0x0/https://static01.nyt.com/images/2016/03/25/health/wellguides_running/wellguides_running-superJumbo-v4.gif)
Brain Connectivity
A new study that has only been published this week showed that runner's brains had some similarities with musician's brains.
In a study that compared young adult runners to others of their age that didn't regularly go for a run, it was shown that the runners brains generally had a greater functional connectivity.
This means that they had more connections between different brain regions, among others in the frontal cortex, which is an important part of our brain that controls cognitive functions like decision-making and planning.
Prior to this study, it had been shown that complex tasks with fine motor skills like playing an instrument have an influence on the brain's structure and function.
And now, the researchers have discovered that running might have a similar effect!
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Growth of new Braincells
Scientists used to believe that humans reach a certain point in adulthood when they don't generate any new braincells anymore. But this theory has now been proven wrong, we are constantly creating new brain cells even at an old age, and exercise can boost the creation even more!
When testing groups of mice, scientists put one group in a cage with several running wheels, while the other group had none.
After 6-8 weeks, the mice that had been active showed up to twice or three times as many newly grown brain cells.
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Memory Consolidation
Interestingly, running can even help with the consolidation of memories.
In June 2016, researchers from New Zealand found out that exercising four hours after learning something can help memorize it better.
"Our results suggest that appropriately timed physical exercise can improve long-term memory and highlight the potential of exercise as an intervention in educational and clinical settings"
A test with mice had shown that active ones could develop twice as many brain cells in the same period of time compared to sedentary mice, which also means that they created many new synaptic contacts between Neurons, which in turns aids the memorization process.
Also, certain neurotransmitters that are being released while running can generally sharpen the memory.
![img](https://steemitimages.com/0x0/https://media.giphy.com/media/k5Zlony9ppLQ4/giphy.gif)
Cleared Mind
You may have experienced it yourself: Running helps to clear the mind like almost nothing else, the thoughts just go blank as you concentrate fully on your body's movements.
But this can also be proven scientifically: studies have found that 30-40 minutes of an aerobic workout increased the blood flow to the frontal lobe of your brain, an area that controls many cognitive functions like mentioned above, which we all associate with clear thinking: focus, concentration, goal-setting, time management and planning.
![img](https://steemitimages.com/0x0/https://media.giphy.com/media/P03Q7Oaa1Pt7y/giphy.gif)
Uplifted Mood
Many regular runners also report that they just feel satisfied and happy after a run.
So researchers at Harvard conducted a study where the participants had to watch an incredible sad clip from the movie "The Champ". One group of ubjects had been running for 30 minutes prior to that, and the other group was just stretching.
After watching the movie they did several tests, and it turned out that those who had been on a run recovered quicker from the sad emotional effect.
Images: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
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© Sirwinchester
Running is not good for hormones of men or women. A man will become more estrogenic. Interval training is where it's at increasing HGH production by body for up to 72 hours. HGH is youth hormone and decreases with age.
olha bom saber,gostei desta postagem.
Obrigado! :)
Solid post. I notice when I run on a consistent basis I am more calm throughout my daily life in general. Also very relaxed in social situations. I do believe running plays into those areas as well. Do you notice this?
Thank you!
Yes I think it definitely works not only as a stress-reliever, but also leads to an overall feeling of being balanced out.. When you workout / run, you can let everything go - worries, thoughts, stored up anger... and it leaves you feeling more calm and refreshed!
I really feel like getting your blood flowing like this benefits us a lot. I usually play basketball for my cardio. Great post!
Thank you!
Yes, physical activity definitely has a lot of benefits to our well-being and mental health, besides the obvious calorie-burning and fitness!
I don't have the source handy but there is data that suggests that students do better in math class if it is scheduled directly after physical education class. This article was especial interesting to me a s a teacher.
I hadn't head of that before, very interesting - thanks for sharing!
Great post thank you, my issue is I'm underweight, and worried if I run or do to much aerobic activity I would lose more weight. Do you have any suggestions that might help? I can eat forever but not much weight gain, good or bad foods.
I'm not an expert but you should try to eat nutrient-rich foods that are also high in calories, just junk food alone isn't good either, and combine that with weight and cardio training, I'm sure a nutrition specialist or many sources on the internet can provide you with a meal plan that fits your needs!
Thanks, I will look into the nutrient-rich foods. See if there is something that will help.
I'm a musician and I run almost everyday. Nice post bro! I approve this message :)
Thank you, yes your brain must be super well-connected then!
You and me both, I wouldn't doubt it. God gave us amazing capabilities.
Great post, once ran a half marathon and although it hurts at times its great for the mind ! Upvoted and following
Thank you, I appreciate it!
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