Exercise and the Brain
By Henry Gerson, MD
Everyone knows we
feel better after exercise, but the benefits of exercise go well beyond just
feeling good. There is new evidence that exercise has serious positive effects
on brain structure and function; and that exercise can enhance learning,
emotional wellness and memory.
Why do we feel
better after exercise?
shown that exercise increases the levels of certain hormones and chemicals that
are important to mental functioning and brain health. The neurotransmitters
dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine are all available in greater supply
after exercise. These three hormones play an important role in the regulation
of mood, and are precisely the same chemicals targeted by popular
antidepressants. Many doctors recommend regular exercise to their patients who
experience anxiety and depression, and this new research may point to the
reason why exercise is so often helpful.
How does exercise
effect brain function?
stress in our muscles, and in our brain as well. In responding to stress, the
brain tissue rebuilds itself to be stronger and more robust. It creates its own
antioxidants and substances that protect and organize its cells. Additionally,
exercise involving coordination and complex movement challenges the cerebellum
and the frontal areas of the brain. The brain responds by establishing better
pathways of nerve communication for effective movement and action.
Neuroscientists studying movement and mental functioning have proposed that the
ability to produce complex movements correlates to thinking ability. This may
be especially important for people as they age, as it can counteract
age-related loss of brain size and connectivity. One study in seniors showed
that exercise may reduce the brain atrophy (shrinking) that naturally occurs
during the aging process.
What kind of
exercise should I do for my brain?
Keeping moving provides an ongoing exercise for the brain. Aerobic exercise
provides additional benefits due to its effect on body chemistry. Complex
movements and coordination exercises add another level of stimulation.
How can I find
application of exercise and brain function is in the schools. PE4Life.org
promotes exercise as a key part of the school day for children in elementary
and high schools. Exercise has proven to help school children perform better
academically and reduces problematic behaviors in the classroom.
A popular new
book, SPARK: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain,
by Dr. John Ratey, describes the clinical evidence and makes the case for
exercising towards mental well-being.
difficult for me, where do I start?
If your health
condition makes it difficult to exercise, consider contacting the Cayuga Center
for Healthy Living (CCHL) at the Island Health Center. The program offers
support for initiating an exercise routine and other positive lifestyle
changes. You can reach CCHL at (607) 252-3590.
Dr. Gerson is a
board certified psychiatrist and the medical director of Behavorial Health
Services at Cayuga Medical Center. He develops stress management and mental
wellness programs at The Cayuga Center for Healthy Living. In his free time he
enjoys mountain biking, Tai Chi and other fun forms of exercise!