Can Exercise Make You Smarter?
According to this NYT discussion of current research, the answer may be yes…
For some time, researchers have known that exercise changes the structure of the brain and affects thinking. Ten years ago scientists at the Salk Institute in California published the groundbreaking finding that exercise stimulates the creation of new brain cells. But fundamental questions remain, like whether exercise must be strenuous to be beneficial. Should it be aerobic? What about weight lifting? And are the cognitive improvements permanent or fleeting?
…Why should exercise need to be aerobic to affect the brain? “It appears that various growth factors must be carried from the periphery of the body into the brain to start a molecular cascade there,” creating new neurons and brain connections, says Henriette van Praag, an investigator in the Laboratory of Neurosciences at the National Institute on Aging. For that to happen, “you need a fairly dramatic change in blood flow,” like the one that occurs when you run or cycle or swim.
The kicker is that it may need to be fairly intense, aerobic exercise – the kind that most people aren’t currently in condition to do. But, it’s certainly possible to train up to it.
As noted elsewhere on the blog, there are benefits to higher-intensity exercise that have NOTHING to do with weight loss (as desirable and beneficial as that may be)…this adds to the list. Thus, it’s as good a reason as any to turn up the heat in the gym, even if you’re happy with your current weight.
September 17, 2009
I think the flow of blood over time needs to be increased to allow the body to keep in a renewed state. I think the aerobic exercise causes the blood to flow faster through all the areas of the body. This carries in more nutriants and flushes out more toxins.
I think that can only be good for keeping your health as you age.
You’re right about the fact that most people aren’t in good enough shape to do this. The problem is most probably don’t care enough to get into shape.
November 14, 2009
I think exercise will make us smarter because exercises not only build muscles but it also help prevent heart disease. Exercise is the most widely prescribed pill today and when it’s done properly it incorporates the body, mind and spirit. Physical exercise may certainly contribute indirectly to make us smarter but targeted mental exercise is a needed complement and more direct way to makes us smarter.