Introduction A media article written by Asp (2016) on the Active blog reported that exercise improves brain power and cognitive abilities such as memory, learning, problem solving, etc. In presenting her argument, Asp describes various research and findings that supports this theory. For example, Asp talks about a study showing that engaging in cardio training increases the size of the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for memory and spatial navigation. This study, conducted by Erickson et al. (2011), provides scientific evidence for Asp’s claim.
Exercise Training Increases Size of Hippocampus and Improves Memory The authors investigated the deterioration of brain structures that occurs with age and affects memory. To determine …show more content…
It was hypothesized that the size of the hippocampus would increase following 1 year of exercise. In addition, the authors predicted that the growth in the size of the hippocampus would then lead to greater serum BDNF in the brain. Finally, as a result of a larger hippocampus and serum BDNF, memory was thought to improve. For their studies, Erickson et al. recruited 842 older adults (ages 55 – 85) to participants. Of these recruits, only 120 individuals were enrolled and provided complete data (participants were excluded on the basis of attendance issues and inaccurate MRI scans). Prior to the research, mental and physical health of the participants were ensured using a variety of tests. To study the effects exercise had on the size of brain structures, authors took MR images of the participants’ brains were taken before, halfway, and after the one-year …show more content…
First, researchers conclude that exercise can counteract the deterioration of the hippocampus in late adulthood. However, the effects of exercise are exclusive to changes in the anterior hippocampus, causing no significant changes to the posterior hippocampus. In addition, the authors conclude that BDNF levels are positively correlated with hippocampus volumes. That is, BDNF levels increase as the volume of the hippocampus increases. Finally, the authors conclude that aerobic exercises are more favourable when striving for positive outcomes. Therefore, aerobic exercise helps maintain the plasticity of the hippocampus and improves memory.
Conclusion
The research conducted by Erickson et al. (2011) supports the claims made in Asp’s (2016) blog post that exercise boosts brain power. One key finding from Erickson et al. (2011) was that for the spatial memory task, memory, speed, and accuracy was better after the exercise training in comparison to before the training. This clearly supports the claim that exercise improves brain power.
In addition, Asp’s blog post describes how cardio training increases the size of the hippocampus. This claim is supported in Erickson’s findings that engaging in aerobic exercises increases the volume of participants’ hippocampus. This finding supports Asp’s claim because increases in hippocampus volumes led to memory improvements on spatial memory
Exercise Training Increases Size of Hippocampus and Improves Memory The authors investigated the deterioration of brain structures that occurs with age and affects memory. To determine …show more content…
It was hypothesized that the size of the hippocampus would increase following 1 year of exercise. In addition, the authors predicted that the growth in the size of the hippocampus would then lead to greater serum BDNF in the brain. Finally, as a result of a larger hippocampus and serum BDNF, memory was thought to improve. For their studies, Erickson et al. recruited 842 older adults (ages 55 – 85) to participants. Of these recruits, only 120 individuals were enrolled and provided complete data (participants were excluded on the basis of attendance issues and inaccurate MRI scans). Prior to the research, mental and physical health of the participants were ensured using a variety of tests. To study the effects exercise had on the size of brain structures, authors took MR images of the participants’ brains were taken before, halfway, and after the one-year …show more content…
First, researchers conclude that exercise can counteract the deterioration of the hippocampus in late adulthood. However, the effects of exercise are exclusive to changes in the anterior hippocampus, causing no significant changes to the posterior hippocampus. In addition, the authors conclude that BDNF levels are positively correlated with hippocampus volumes. That is, BDNF levels increase as the volume of the hippocampus increases. Finally, the authors conclude that aerobic exercises are more favourable when striving for positive outcomes. Therefore, aerobic exercise helps maintain the plasticity of the hippocampus and improves memory.
Conclusion
The research conducted by Erickson et al. (2011) supports the claims made in Asp’s (2016) blog post that exercise boosts brain power. One key finding from Erickson et al. (2011) was that for the spatial memory task, memory, speed, and accuracy was better after the exercise training in comparison to before the training. This clearly supports the claim that exercise improves brain power.
In addition, Asp’s blog post describes how cardio training increases the size of the hippocampus. This claim is supported in Erickson’s findings that engaging in aerobic exercises increases the volume of participants’ hippocampus. This finding supports Asp’s claim because increases in hippocampus volumes led to memory improvements on spatial memory