10 scientifically proven ways exercise is good for the Brain

Anyone that has even a cursory interest in exercise science, including weekend warriors who want little more than beach abs, knows that the nervous system is an important aspect of training. Sure, the muscles might be what we are ultimately interested in, but it’s your nerves, spine, and brain that control your physical performance. Training your nervous system can make or break your results, whether in the gym or in competition. Exercising also helps your brain. One of the first things people notice when they first start exercising is an improvement in their mood and their resistance to stress at work.

Concussion, alzheimer’s, als, football, brain injury, football brain damageThe big problem when it comes to the nervous system and exercise is that few people know much about it. In fact, it’s a burgeoning field in both neurology and exercise science that is finally getting respect in the research realm. Recently, the North American Association for the Study of Obesity (NAASO) published online for the first time its article describing a live workshop called “The Neurobiology of Exercise” in which twenty-three researchers weighed in on this oh-so-important topic. Here are a few highlights from their consensus:

Exercise:

Improves brain health, including both structure and function.
Improves the connections between your nerves. This, in part, defines skill development in any sport.
Helps your brain grow, and supports the protections of your neurons (nerve cells).
Increases your ability to learn and adapt to change.
Can help reduce the negative effects of brain injury.
Reduces negative behaviors resulting from sudden stress.
Increases the brain’s ability to protect itself from physical stressors like heat and inflammation.
Increases brain metabolism.
Reduces depression.
Reduces the effects of aging on the brain.

( from http://www.breakingmuscle.com)