Why Does The Brain Need Exercise?

We have known for a long time that exercise is a cornerstone of a healthy life. Showing advantages on a physical, social and psychological level, leading to an improvement in the quality of life. However, research related to the benefits of physical exercise on the brain has found even more benefits than perhaps our intuition could anticipate.

Even so, at present, this type of activity has notably decreased. This is due to the changes that aspects of our life have undergone, such as leisure activities, where the technological revolution has been noticed. In this case, we will talk about the advantages and why the brain needs exercise. Hinting at the importance of having an active body and mind.

What changes does physical exercise generate in the brain?

Recent research has found that exercise generates changes at a physical and functional level, creating advantages in the development and adaptation of our brain. As a result, it improves the way of carrying out the planned activities. One of the aspects that has been modified is the increase in neurotransmitters, especially dopamine, norepinephrine and endorphins. As a result, the feeling of well-being increases and, therefore, increases the motivation to carry out any type of activity.

Increased cerebral blood flow is another advantage of physical exercise in the brain. This is because, due to motor activity, there is an increase in the energy demand of parts of the brain involved, such as the premotor cortex, the supplementary motor and the sensorimotor cortex.

Therefore, the demand for oxygen in these parts increases, which is supplied by the blood. As a result, there is an advantage in general cognitive performance. This gives rise to better learn or perform any type of activity.

Advantage of physical exercise in the brain: neurogenesis neural plasticity

As we know, the processes of neurogenesis (birth of new neurons) and brain plasticity (modification and enhancement of neuronal synapses) are important for the adaptation and learning of new knowledge. It depends on them that we can learn about new activities and improve in our daily performance.

Multiple investigations have found that there is neuronal activation and regeneration through oxygenation as a consequence of physical exercise. Through neuroimaging techniques it has been found that this process occurs in a special way in the hippocampus. This area is responsible for the consolidation of learning and memory. Therefore, body activity helps to improve these functions. Likewise, it is observed that through this external stimulation there is a creation of new neurons and, therefore, this capacity increases even more.

However, this plasticity is not only seen in the hippocampus, but the process is repeated in various parts of our brain. This generates both chemical and electrical changes in the synapses of our brain neurons. Variations that are reflected in an increase in brain activity in parts such as the frontal lobe, the parietal cortex, the cingulate gyrus, among others. Therefore, benefits are observed in the rest of cognitive functions, such as attention, language and executive functions.

Physical exercise an advantage for mental health

In studies currently conducted, they have found multiple benefits of physical exercise on mental health. Among the main ones are:

• Mood improvement: by physical activity blood circulation is increased, which influences the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Therefore, it helps in the proper management of stress. It also counteracts negative mood.

• Sleep pattern : through exercise, it helps to regulate the wake-sleep cycles, which significantly improves the quality of sleep
• Self-esteem : sport improves the physical perception of the person and therefore, there is an increase in self-esteem. It also helps combat social isolation and gives security to do other activities.
• Coping and stress reduction : through physical activity increases energy and mental alertness. In the same way, it reinforces the development of effective and positive coping strategies in adverse situations.

Physical exercise as a brain protector in older adults

As we have already seen, there are many advantages of physical exercise for the brain. In the case of older adults, it becomes neuroprotective. Thus, physical activities would protect from the deterioration that this organ can present with the passage of time. In the same way, it helps reduce the impact of other diseases that can be suffered by age.

In general, moving the body while exercising requires widespread activation of the brain. This is because it fulfills several functions, such as:

• Coordinate the movement of the muscles for the activity.
• It controls the bodily functions so that the muscles work properly.
• Boosts increased blood flow.
• Manage your glucose intake.
• Monitor your breathing and heart rate.

Exercise in depression and anxiety

As has been shown, exercising has psychological benefits for healthy people. In addition, this effect is seen more significantly with those people who have a psychiatric diagnosis. In this case we will focus on anxiety and depression.

As for anxiety, physical activity increases the release of endorphins. These have an effect on the axis that handles stress, causing it to decrease. As a consequence, the characteristic symptoms of this disorder, such as restlessness, irritability, hyperventilation, among others , can be more easily managed. It also makes it easier for the person to gain control over the sensations surrounding the disorder.

On the other hand, we have depression. In this case, the influence of exercise on the hippocampus increases blood levels and intervenes in the production of neurotransmitters that influence this disorder. Therefore, it helps in the improvement of symptoms and as a consequence, increases the feeling of well-being in the person with depression. Therefore, it is part of the multidisciplinary treatment for the management of this disorder.