Even moderate exercise increases the learning and memory center

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As of: February 4, 2024, 9:00 p.m

By: Laura Knops

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Sport doesn’t just improve strength and endurance. According to researchers, moderate exercise can also boost brain performance.

Thinking, feeling, perceiving, communicating, remembering and deciding: our brain is the body’s most important control center. The healthier it is, the more effectively we can live our lives. However, with age, most people’s cognitive abilities decline. The reason for this is not only normal aging processes, but also diseases such as Alzheimer’s or dementia. To ensure that the brain remains fully functional, a healthy lifestyle is particularly important. According to scientists at the Washington University in St. Louis Physical exercise in particular ensures that we remain fit and active even as we get older.

Exercise improves blood flow to the brain

Regular exercise not only strengthens the cardiovascular system, but also brain performance (symbolic image). © Pond5 Images/Imago

As part of the current study, Cyrus Raji’s research team examined the connection between physical activity and the size of certain areas of the brain that are responsible for memory and learning ability. To do this, the scientists analyzed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans from 10,125 test subjects. The results were published in the scientific magazine “Journal of Alzheimer‘s Disease” published.

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The result: People who exercised regularly showed significantly larger volumes in certain regions of the brain. The sport doesn’t even have to be intense. According to the researchers, even moderate exercise has a positive effect on the thinking system.

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Just going for a walk has positive effects

“We found that even moderate levels of physical activity – such as taking fewer than 4,000 steps per day – have a positive effect on brain health,” explained David Merrill from Pacific Neuroscience Institute Brain Health Center in St. Louisco-author of the study, as standard.at reported.

The effects were primarily seen in brain areas such as the frontal lobe, which is important for decision-making, and the hippocampus. The hippocampus is responsible for generating memories and therefore also plays a crucial role in diseases such as Alzheimer’s. According to the researchers, what was also noticeable was an increased total volume of gray and white brain matter. These are responsible for information processing and the connections between brain areas.

Train your cardiovascular system and brain with sport

Sport not only stimulates the cardiovascular system and promotes oxygen supply to the muscles. Blood flow to the brain and the production of certain proteins that are related to neurological functions are also promoted. According to scientists, these nerve growth factors make it easier University of Siegen the emergence of new connections, especially in the cerebral cortex, cerebellum and hippocampus. Previous studies have shown that sporting training improves cognitive performance.

The current study also confirms this. According to the researchers, the results are further evidence that memory and learning ability can be improved through physical activity. This is even more important the older we get, explains Cyrus Raji. After a certain age, the likelihood of neurodegenerative diseases increases. A larger volume of certain brain regions could also delay the cognitive decline that accompanies Alzheimer’s, for example.

This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. It in no way replaces a visit to the doctor. Unfortunately, our editorial team cannot answer individual questions about medical conditions.