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Interesting Study: Exercise and Brain Growth
Fitness | March 13, 2016
Scientists have long understood that regular exercise causes our brains to actually grow in volume and decreases the chance of holes developing in brain matter as we age, which can cause degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia. A recent studypublished in the Journal of Physiology and covered in a New York Times article goes one step further by examining the relationship between the amount of brain growth and different kinds of exercise.
Many of the past studies on exercise and brain growth have had their test subjects (both human and animal) exercise by using long form endurance exercise, like running on a treadmill. For this new study, researchers were interested in finding out if the brain reacts in the same way during short, intense, interval style training (like HIIT or my workouts) and resistance training (like weight training) as it does to endurance exercise.
The researchers used rats for their study and divided them into three groups. The first group of rats ran on wheels in their cages, running as fast as they felt like for as long as they felt like, which was a slower, more endurance style of running. The second rat group did HIIT. To simulate short, intense interval style training they put the rats on tiny treadmills and had them run really fast for short bursts of time with rest periods between bouts. The third group was the weight lifting group. Since they couldn’t make the rats hold tiny barbells, (haha-can’t stop picturing this), they attached weights to their tails and had the rats climb walls.
At the end of the seven week study the endurance rats showed big amounts of growth in the hippocampus, the part of the brain that we use for learning and memory. This kind of growth is called neurogenesis, which means the birth of new brain cells.
The HIIT rats showed some neurogenesis but not as much as the endurance rats.
The weight training rats had no new neurogenesis, although they got really ripped, rat-style.
These discoveries lead the researchers to believe that slow endurance style exercise causes the most neurogenesis, the most brain growth.
And that’s all great. But I got to thinking, slow endurance style exercise takes a lot of time, at least an hour (if not more) almost every day. If intense style interval training causes brain growth anyway, I think I’d rather take all the extra time I’m saving by not slogging away on a treadmill staring at a blank wall in some gym and stimulate my brain by reading a great book, or meditating, or hiking in the sunshine having a wonderful conversation with my partner, or researching and testing (mmmm…testing) new healthful recipes to nourish my body with.
What do you think of the new study? Does it change the way you consider your exercise schedule? Should we wait for more research, some that involves humans, before we make up our minds? Do you ever consider brain health when you think of your fitness and health routines? Let me know!
Private Member |
ellijay, ga, united states
I like to mix things up, as I can get bored too easily. I like the HIIT workouts because they’re different each day! It’s been a little while since I HAVE mixed things up (Well, since last fall), but I started back up the other week throwing in some endurance workouts into the mix. Mountain Biking for the sunny, warm days. I used to enjoy running more (trail runs. I get bored, otherwise) but if I go more than 45 minutes I get a *serious* migraine that lasts for around a week (though it’s been a while. I should give it another try). I’m mixing in some elliptical for indoor days — my husband and I found a way to bust the boredom of that…by setting it up so that we can play video games while we use it! 😀
Private Member |
Neither can I stop picturing rats holding tiny dumbells, hahahahaha!
Private Member |
As a novelist, I can say that when I was distance running, the creative and calculating part of my “mind” was more active during the activity than it is when doing more intense activities or lifting. Non-scientific and anecdotal, but in light of this report, it causes me to speculate. The other exercises require so much more focus on safety, form, or just the raw intensity, that my awareness is hyper focused on the activity itself (as it should be). I wonder if the physical stimulation of exercise in a way that allows the mind to process and utilize information more freely (as in distance running) is at play here. I can’t be sure and we can’t really rely on rats for that, but just a thought from my own experience. Cheers!
Private Member |
ripped rats – lol. I need my high intensity workouts daily. Maybe now that’s it’s warmer out I will go for an occasional run/walk. But I couldn’t do endurance all the time – too boring for me. I’m sticking with ZGYM!
Private Member |
it’s very interesting! Thank you for sharing, who would’ve thought..
😀
Private Member |
rome, me, usa
Dr. John Ratey has written some interesting books on exercise and brain health. Slightly different take always from this article but both are interesting!
Private Member |
I read a book a few years ago when I was studying to become a teacher about brain growth by Dr. John Medina. I was astounded at how much exercise boosts our brain and I’ve implemented a move program before we do work for my students. My students love it and are so much more focused compared to when some days I haven’t done it.
I agree with you Zuzka that you can spend a little bit of time doing an intensive work out and spend the rest of your time doing something else which can make you learn and discover more.