Exercise and the Aging Brain
Aging and brain health is a topic of great interest as the older-adult population continues to grow. Neuroscientists are gaining valuable information about the brain & body connection. With dramatic new imaging techniques – MRI, NMRI, PET, and SPECT has allowed researchers to study the working of the human brain in action. This has opened a vast frontier of knowledge on cognition, memory and learning throughout life.
The brain is a complex system, weighing approximately 3 to 4lbs and is responsible for all of our thoughts, emotions and behaviors. The human brain accounts for nearly 2% of the body’s weight, yet consumes approximately 20% of its oxygen and 20% of its glucose. In addition, the brain needs about 8-12 glasses of water a day and 8 gallons of blood an hour for optimal functioning.
Exercise – Use it or lose it!
What is good for the body is good for the brain. Without exercise, the heart, lungs, and muscles work less efficiently together. When that happens, the brain gets less of the blood, oxygen and glucose so vital to its functioning. Further lack of physical activity is a risk factor for heart disease, diabetes, cancer, stroke, obesity, and high blood pressure, which also have an effect on brain function.
Impact of regular exercise on the aging brain
How we age is determined both by genetics and lifestyle choices – one-third of brain aging is genetics and two-thirds is lifestyle. Regular exercise keeps the brain functioning optimally. The effects of 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic activity effects the brain in the following ways:
- Stimulates brain-derived-neurotrophic-factor, which helps neurons and dendrites grow and thrive.
- Causes neurons to fire more efficiently
- Increases levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and insulin-like growth factor, which build and maintain activity within the cell circuitry.
- Increases the generation of neurons in the hippocampus, an area of the brain associated with memory.
- Balances brain neurotransmitters and hormones, which enhances the body’s function.
- Gets oxygen and glucose to the brain faster by strengthening the cardiovascular system.
The body was designed to move; we know now that the more we move the body, the more we engage the brain. Exercise is medicine. Choosing to exercise regularly makes a difference in achieving a healthy body and brain. If the brain isn’t actively growing, it is very likely dying. The good news is that beginning an exercise program at any age can benefit both the brain and body.
Submitted By: Therapy
References: The Journal on Active Aging “Exercise and the aging brain”