Effect of physical activity on the brain

Research has shown that exercise promotes neurogenesis, a process in the brain, which can be adapted and grow faster the brain cells, and this regardless of age! Responsible for this positive effect a so-called specific protein. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which is released during the movement, protects the brain cells against damage and give the possibility of a new neuron growth.

How are physical activity and mental health interact together?

Physical activity triggers the body of biochemical changes that affect not only the body but also the brain and this especially in the regions that are associated with memory and learning. Above all, it is about the hippocampus, which is particularly susceptible to the growth of new neurons. This is the conclusion researchers have come by means of observation that movement stimulates the production of a protein called FNDC5. The FNDC5 protein in turn stimulates the production of another protein in the brain, the brain-derived neurotrophic-factor (BDNF factor), which stimulates the growth of new nerves and synapses, and also the survival of the existing brain cells.

Staying active prevents dementia.

How sport and active can help it.

• Release of growth protein BDNF in the brain
• Production of new nerve cells and protect the synapses
• Maintains healthy blood flow to the brain
• Inhibition of harmful proteins in the brain that promote dementia. In animal experiments clearly less harmful plaques found to be associated with dementia.

Make exercise a regular part of most of your life as early as possible. Nevertheless, it is never too late to begin. Even seniors who were not initially addressed with fitness training, showed improvement in their cognitive function. In the study, we examined more than 600 people over the age of 70 years, made the detailed logs of their daily physical, mental and social habits. Three years later, their brains were examined for age-related changes, such as reduction of the brain and damage to the white matter. The seniors who perform the most physical training, show much lower degenerative changes in the brain compared to other subjects.

• People aged 70 years lose annually by 1 to 3% on hippocampal volume.
• The changes in the size of the hippocampus are accompanied by changes in the growth protein BDNF in blood levels.
• Intensity of fitness levels is associated with a greater prefrontal part of brain