Working Out Will Make You Fitter and Healthier

While we all know about the physical benefits of exercise, did you know that staying active can actually boost your brain power?

Researchers have found definitive links between increased levels of aerobic exercise and improved cognitive functioning, adding to the long list of reasons why you should be physically active.

How Aging Impacts Brain Functioning

As we age, the part of the brain which controls both short and long-term memory begins to shrink.

Known as the hippocampus, this area of the brain can be kept healthy and is key to combating age-related memory loss that is associated with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

The hippocampus is also associated with navigation and spatial memory which are vital to daily living skills, particularly as we age since these functions help guard against falls and disorientation.

Researchers have found that adults, who are physically fit, tend to have a greater volume of hippocampal structure than sedentary adults, supporting the positive connection between exercise and healthy brain function.

Study Links Brain Growth, Improved Memory With Aerobic Exercise

Researchers from the National Institute of Aging, Neuroscience Lab have released the results of a study examining the connection between aerobic exercise and cognitive functions such as short-term memory .

The study followed 120 older adults as they embarked on a moderate aerobic exercise program, walking for up to 40 minutes 3 times per week.

At the end of the year-long study, participants achieved an average 2% increase in their hippocampal volume, realizing a 1-2 year age-related reversal of brain tissue loss.

In essence, by simply walking a few days a week at a moderate pace, study participants both increased their brain functioning and reversed 1-2 years of age-related brain deterioration.

How Aerobic Exercise Stimulates The Brain

During any type of physical exercise that elevates the heart rate, numerous physiological changes occur within the body.

Exercise triggers the release of endorphins, natural mood-boosters that help stave off depression and anxiety that can impair brain functioning.

Aerobic activities elevate your heart rate, helping to pump oxygen and blood throughout your body.

This helps your body create new brain cells and repair existing ones, leading to a reduction in the loss of your overall brain volume and cognitive functions like memory, physical coordination and reasoning.

Aerobic exercise also limits the amount of inflammation-causing stress hormones like cortisol, helping to minimize the negative effects that chronic stress can have on both physical and mentalfunctioning.

Exercising To Boost Brain Functioning

Regular aerobic exercise is vital to a healthier brain. Brisk walking, running and cycling are all good ways to achieve the recommended 30 to 45 minutes of daily aerobic exercise, however, some people find these activities are hard on their joints and difficult to maintain during the winter months.

Low-impact cardio exercise equipment like elliptical machines are a good investment for anyone looking to achieve a healthier body and brain.

Consumers can conduct research online to find the best elliptical machine for their home.

Owning your own cardio equipment makes it easy to fit brain-boosting aerobic exercise into your day, helping to improve both your body and your brain.