The evidence is in. To read the book “SPARK” is like completing a research project that will prove to you the benefits of exercise can be transforming and life changing to preserve brain function. Most of us are well aware that exercise promotes strength, flexibility and fitness but few of us have ever really thought of the effects of exercise on our brains. This is a compelling book filled with facts and case histories that speak for themselves on the benefits of exercise to both our brains and our bodies. Not only does this book provide fascinating facts but it helps to explain the complex rut we face when we cannot motivate ourselves to exercise and how to alter these barriers. Knowledge is indeed power and SPARK reveals the fascinating
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The authors clearly define the rationale for the need for motivation and proof that we can all attain a higher level of fitness and brain function simply by having some knowledge of how to calculate maximal heart rates and using a heart rate monitor to track our progress. What better reward is more tangible than something you can see, feel and measure? Dr. Ratey emphasizes that without the proper equipment such as a heart rate monitor, an engaged athlete might look like he lacks motivation or is lazy but this can be deceiving. Dr. Ratey sets out to prove this everywhere in this book by explaining the rationale for maintaining a maximal heart rate, what the difference in levels of intensity do to your body all the way down to the biology having to do with stress hormones & neurotransmitters in a simple to read format. If we know that certain psychiatric diseases like depression and anxiety are treated with drugs that alter the very …show more content…
I don’t believe that we can.
If the prevalence of physical activity is associated with warding off many diseases and research strongly suggests that Alzheimer’s or dementia can develop as a result of plaque leading to cognitive decline then we can certainly understand why this type of cognitive decline would affect executive brain functioning particularly with regards to memory and speed processing.
Processing speeds decline early in the course of aging which is associated with the loss of white matter many scientists correlate with declining brain function (Bherer, Erickson, & Liu-
Ambrose, 2013). There are many studies to substantiate then that getting the cobwebs out can help. For instance, in a study noted within the Journal of Aging Research, “older adults showed that over the course of 6 months, a study group performing an aerobic training program
(walking) showed a significant improvement in cognitive performance compared to those that completed a stretching program” (Bherer, et al., 2013, para 5). The study highlighted many samples that corroborate with Dr. Ratey’s approach that aerobic exercise may very well be
The authors clearly define the rationale for the need for motivation and proof that we can all attain a higher level of fitness and brain function simply by having some knowledge of how to calculate maximal heart rates and using a heart rate monitor to track our progress. What better reward is more tangible than something you can see, feel and measure? Dr. Ratey emphasizes that without the proper equipment such as a heart rate monitor, an engaged athlete might look like he lacks motivation or is lazy but this can be deceiving. Dr. Ratey sets out to prove this everywhere in this book by explaining the rationale for maintaining a maximal heart rate, what the difference in levels of intensity do to your body all the way down to the biology having to do with stress hormones & neurotransmitters in a simple to read format. If we know that certain psychiatric diseases like depression and anxiety are treated with drugs that alter the very …show more content…
I don’t believe that we can.
If the prevalence of physical activity is associated with warding off many diseases and research strongly suggests that Alzheimer’s or dementia can develop as a result of plaque leading to cognitive decline then we can certainly understand why this type of cognitive decline would affect executive brain functioning particularly with regards to memory and speed processing.
Processing speeds decline early in the course of aging which is associated with the loss of white matter many scientists correlate with declining brain function (Bherer, Erickson, & Liu-
Ambrose, 2013). There are many studies to substantiate then that getting the cobwebs out can help. For instance, in a study noted within the Journal of Aging Research, “older adults showed that over the course of 6 months, a study group performing an aerobic training program
(walking) showed a significant improvement in cognitive performance compared to those that completed a stretching program” (Bherer, et al., 2013, para 5). The study highlighted many samples that corroborate with Dr. Ratey’s approach that aerobic exercise may very well be