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In Planeta Triathlon we will never tire of talking about the benefits of doing sports, but when they are they also have a scientific basis, well, better than better. Although at first glance there is no cause and effect relationship between exercise and mental alertness and speed, many scientific studies have shown that physical preparation is needed to achieve greater brain oxygenation and stimulate the right neural connections.
The title of this article is nothing more than a statement from Coral Sanfeliu, author of the book “Brain and exercise” of the Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC) together with José Luis Trejo. The publication scientifically proves how exercise improves children’s math learning, stimulates the generation of new neurons, fights depression and anxiety, helps prevent Alzheimer’s, and increases life expectancy, five advantages that are definitely worth considering.
Better intellectual performance of children
According to the book, exercise doesn’t make children smarter, but it increases their cognitive ability and pushes them to the limit of their abilities, especially in logical-mathematical analysis. “On academic achievements, there are conclusive studies that associate sport with a better grade in math and arithmetic.” He adds: “Faster information processing speed has been described in older age in those who played sports in adolescence.”
Generation of new neurons
Physical activity increases the formation of new neurons. This process, called by science neurogénesis, is produced through compounds in the blood that enter the brain and increase with individual exercises. Sanfeliu explains that although neurons that can be produced with sport are a small percentage, close to 4% or 6%, they could be “really important” for the health of the human brain.
There is ongoing research that tries to prove this These new neurons can occupy areas of the brain where lesions are present and help heal them. According to scientists, information processing is intrinsically linked to movement, which is why a sedentary lifestyle requires far fewer neurons than sports.
A good medicine for depression and anxiety
Surely many of us know this without resorting to mouse experiments or scientific tests. Practicing daily sport gives us that dose of medicine that reduces anxiety levels and even a sad or depressed mood, not to mention how it facilitates restful sleep and reduces stress.
Sanfeliu states that exercise improves the balance of the most popular neurotransmitters: dopamine, in charge of the movement, e serotonin, in charge of controlling emotions. “Exercise has been shown to improve mental health in humans. “
Reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s
“Over the years we lose some gray and white matter”, explains Coral, “With the decrease in gray our neurons shrink, with the absence of white the connections between them deteriorate. For this reason, healthy aging makes cause humans to make slower decisions, take time to find the right words and even confuse dates or names Daily exercise helps improve these symptoms.
One study of 2,000 volunteers aged 71 to 93 found that men who walked at least two miles a day had a lower risk of suffering from the disease than those who walked less than a kilometer. Once the disease appears, exercise may induce a slight cognitive improvement early on.
Longer life expectancy
Various population studies have shown that sport or physical activity at home reduces all-cause mortality in adults between the ages of 50 and 70.
A sedentary lifestyle has also been shown to increase the risk of age-related diseases such as type 2 diabetes, stroke and some types of cancer. “Long hours sitting in front of the television, in the car or in the office are the cause of premature death. Eight hours of sedentary living per day can be compensated for with 45 minutes of moderate physical activity, ”says the research.
Source: El País Ciencia
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