Neurological Benefits of Exercise

We should all know by now that exercise is good for us

I’m almost positive that the level of health literacy in Australia, and other first world countries, is high enough to assume that most people understand the benefits of working out when it comes to health, weight and energy levels. But did you know the physiological effects exercise has on the brain?

A shift in society

Over the past few generations, our lifestyles - as general public - has changed quite dramatically. The Industrial Revolution brought about cars, trains, planes and other machinery that made our lives easier. Technological advancements made workplaces more efficient - and consequently reduced the need for a high number of active jobs. Productivity and travel was on the rise - as was the sedentary lifestyle, and a rapid increase in cardiovascular and respiratory disease.

Food became more accessible with the introduction of supermarkets, and leisure time changed to be predominantly television entertainment, and for my younger friends many were raised in front of a plethora of screens and not grazing knees climbing trees and playing football. These days we don’t even need to leave our couch to order clothes, groceries, gifts, furniture and fast food (hello, UberEats). We can socialise, debate, game and work with (generally accessible) devices. We are able to do everything we need to do, without any physical effort! Convenient. In contrast, our hunter-gatherer ancestors would walk 10-20km per day.

The price of inactivity

I could go on for days about why we need exercise for general health (but I won’t - I will stay in my lane and stick to the effects on the brain). We are not genetically programmed to live idle, sedentary lives. If we do - our brains pay the price. Studies have shown that exercise improves mental health, memory and cognitive functioning. Furthermore it reduces stress, social anxiety and depression. Researchers have also found that the effects of exercise on the brain can actually hinder the development of some neurological disorders.

The Science

When we exercise, the oxygenation and blood vessel growth that is happening is associated with rational thinking, as well as social, physical and intellectual performance. You might have heard about the serotonin increase while exercising - as well as the increase in norpinephrine - both of these neurotransmitters are known to accelerate information processing and problem solving. You will also release the feel-good hormone dopamine which is an awesome short term high (think runner’s high) and just to put it in perspective, that is the same hormone that is involved during sex and/or eating your favourite chocolate.

Although not able to prevent illnesses like dementia or Alzheimer’s, consistent exercise over time can strengthen the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex which can shield against degenerative disease. The hippocampus (if you can remember back to high school science) is also the part of the brain that is associated with memory and learning.

Want to know more?

I really could go on about this all day, so if you’re interested in learning more, hit me up for mindset coaching or group workshops at kirsty@scoutco.com.au or connect with me on Instagram @kirst_scoutco.

Be kind to each other - Kirst

Kirsty McCall

Sports Therapist & Mindset Coach

Email: kirsty@scoutco.com.au Insta: @kirst_scoutco