Just 30 minutes of exercise has benefits for the brain

Media Release from the University of Adelaide: (taken from Tumblr.) 

University of Adelaide neuroscientists have discovered that just one session of aerobic exercise is enough to spark positive changes in the brain that could lead to improved memory and coordination of motor skills.

A study conducted by researchers in the University's Robinson Research Institute has found changes in the brain that were likely to make it more "plastic" after only 30 minutes of vigorous exercise.

The study involved a small group of healthy people aged in their late 20s to early 30s who rode exercise bikes. They were monitored for changes in the brain immediately after the exercise and again 15 minutes later.

"We saw positive changes in the brain straight away, and these improvements were sustained 15 minutes after the exercise had ended," says research leader Associate Professor Michael Ridding.

"Plasticity in the brain is important for learning, memory and motor skill coordination. The more 'plastic' the brain becomes, the more it's able to reorganise itself, modifying the number and strength of connections between nerve cells and different brain areas."

Associate Professor Ridding says past research has shown that regular physical activity can have positive effects on brain function and plasticity, but it was unknown whether a stand-alone session of exercise would also have similar positive effects.

"We now have evidence suggesting that it does," he says. "This exercise-related change in the brain may, in part, explain why physical activity has a positive effect on memory and higher-level functions."

Associate Professor Ridding says there is now mounting evidence that engaging in aerobic exercise positively influences brain function in many ways - at cellular and molecular levels, as well as in the brain's architecture.

"Although this was a small sample group, it helps us to better understand the overall picture of how exercise influences the brain," he says.

"We know that plasticity is also important for recovery from brain damage, so this opens up potential therapeutic avenues for patients.

"Further research will be required to see what the possible long-term benefits could be for patients as well as healthy people."

This research is supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).

dinahsor's photostream

dinahsor's photostream on Flickr.

 

Inspiration

 

 

So this morning as lingered over coffee in bed, I opened a backpacker magazine, and was happily engaged until I saw a description of a trail that read something like this:  "And once you get done with the 300 yard scramble you arrive at some sandstone outcroppings you get to climb."  I rubbed at my aching knee... sarcasm?  Um - no...it is youth....Or maybe my age. I was not the target audience.  There was a day when a scramble  or climbing over some boulders was fun, no problem.  But now, with less cartilage than arthritis in my joints I am fighting a battle to stay in the game, to continue the activities that get me into the wilderness, where my stress is immediately diluted and ultimately dissipates into the greens and blues of nature -  where I am regenerated....renewed -  and strengthened , enabling me to head back into the jungle and earn another paycheck and make one more deposit into the retirement account.  I have  reached the age where I am no longer the target of media, advertising, inventions and the like.  The backpacking article was not written with me in mind.  That is one of the difficult blows of aging - it seems we no longer matter, nor does our opinion - because now our contribution to the economy is seen as less than that of the 20 - 40 something's, who have taken our place as the "ones to win".  I wondered to my myself, then to my husband, then to our hiking buddy if a resource for people just like me would be beneficial....  The answer was yes and the decision was made, and it begins with this blog.  There are ways to win at the process of aging, there are ways to loose, and a lot in between to learn from. My goal here is to create a resource for aging knees, diabetic feet, damaged ankles and the like,  that will keep us - or maybe get us -  in the game - help us find the trails suited to US, that WE will love, gear that will aid US...  advice from professionals that will guide us, and stories that will inspire us to keep fighting for those things that identify us.  And if you are one who has never ventured into the wild but think you will find some missing pieces to your soul there, you will find yourself among friends who have all known that starting point.  

 

 

Our age, injury, disability or illness does not define us. These are things that happen to us.  We cannot turn back the hands of time, nor may we want to.  But along with attitude, there are steps we can take to make the most of what we have, and face the future as a new adventure - instead of succumb with depression into a bleak view that believes the best has long since past.   If you, like me, have started to find yourself spending too much life in a place of pain, fearing this is as good as it gets, I hope you will join my journey.  I hope to discover places, things, people, and ways to keep us believing that the best is yet to come.