This Is Your Brain On Fitness

As we age, so does our brain, causing some very important everyday functions to decline. Some of these functions include memory, attention span, concentration, problem-solving, and decision-making. Studies have shown that older adults who do physical activity have less of a decline in brain function compared to those who don’t exercise. No one is saying you need to compete in a marathon or a triathlon. All you need is about 3 days a week at a moderate intensity, doing both aerobic and resistance training to see results.

Your frontal lobe, which is obviously located in the front of your brain, is said to be the most important part of your brain. Many say this because your frontal lobe is what controls your body to get through the day. We call our daily tasks “activities of daily living”, and you also have your “executive functions” that the frontal lobe also controls. Activities of daily living and executive functions go hand in hand with each other. Some examples of these would be movement, emotions, behavior, and awareness.

Apart from the physical differences that we can see when it comes to improving the brain's health, exercise also improves the cellular and molecular mechanisms in the brain. Molecularly, exercise helps provide an increase in synaptic plasticity and memory. It has also been shown to improve vascular health. Cellularly, exercise helps in the development of new neurons and synaptogenesis, which is the formation of synapses (this is how your neurons communicate with each other).

So, what should you be doing to see these improvements in your life? Move your body! You don’t need to do the most intense exercise ever. In fact, going on a walk around the neighborhood will start this process for you! Make your exercises fun and enjoyable, take your dog with you on a walk, and bring a friend with you to the gym!