The term “brain jogging” is often associated with tasks such as memory training, rebus or puzzle games. However, the results of numerous studies in recent years have shown that the term should be taken quite literally. According to these studies, sport improves not only physical fitness but also mental fitness.
A study conducted at the University of Bochum compared the dimensions of the brain of 26 professional athletes with 12 self-confessed non-athletes. The Magneting resonance imaging (MRI) scans showed that the athletes had a larger amount of brain matter in certain areas than non-athletes. Many studies have now concluded that sport is associated with the formation of new nerve cells, a process known as neurogenesis. Neurogenesis, among other things, is believed to be involved in long-term memory formation and even protect against diseases such as dementia. So the motto is: get your sneakers out, go for a run, and you’ll come back smarter!
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week or 75 minutes of intense physical activity. In addition, a muscle-strenghtening session for each of the main muscle groups should be carried out twice a week. Regular physical activity over a long period of time not only promotes the formation of new synapses, but also the strenghtening of existing brain connections.
mediteo can not only help you to take your medication on time, but also remind you to exercise regularly! Simply add your sport sessions to your list like a medication and become fitter in the long term – physically and mentally!
Sources
- The positive impact of physical activity on cognition during adulthood: a review of underlying mechanisms, evidence and recommendations (degruyter.com)
- DGKN-Kongress: Kampf- und Ausdauersport vergrößern Hirnareale (idw-online.de)
- Einfluss von Sport auf das zentrale Nervensystem-Molekulare und zelluläre Wirkmechanismen (germanjournalsportsmedicine.com)
- Sport erneuert Gedächtniszellen im Gehirn (aerzteblatt.de)
- 9789241514187-eng.pdf (who.int)
- Mathias, D. (2018). Ausdauersport und Gehirn. In: Fit und gesund von 1 bis Hundert. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-56307-6_62
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