Two new neuroscience studies have found that exercise has a significant impact on the brain, lasting longer than previously thought. The benefits of exercise include improved cognitive performance and increased intelligence.
Recent studies have shown that exercise boosts cognitive performance, but scientists were unsure how long these impacts last. A team from University College London recruited 76 adults over 50 to investigate this question. They found that the short-term memory benefits of physical activity may last longer than previously thought, possibly up to the next day instead of just a few hours.
Another study took a different approach. The lead author was her own guinea pig and tracked her sleep and physical activity for 133 days while undergoing 30 MRI brain scans. The results showed that exercise’s impacts on the brain last far longer than a single day, with some effects lasting up to 15 days.
The researchers observed a slow evolution in brain function in response to sleep and exercise patterns over weeks, not just days. These findings suggest that exercise can make you smarter for a full day and rewire your brain for up to two weeks.
The implications of these studies are significant, offering powerful motivation to get moving all year long. Exercise won’t just keep you physically fit; it will also boost your cognitive performance and make you smarter. The next time the couch is tempting, remember that exercise can have a lasting impact on your brain power.
Source: https://www.inc.com/jessica-stillman/neuroscience-just-discovered-that-exercise-makes-you-smarter-for-24-hours-and-rewires-your-brain-for-up-to-2-weeks/91064811