Exercise for cognition, neurophysiology & plasticity
More & more clinical studies are showing the importance of exercise & it’s multifaceted benefits on cognition, neurophysiology & neurochemical pathways, shedding more light on the intricate mechanisms underlying these aspects of our mind & body health.
Cognition
Attention: Acute exercise has been linked to improvements in attentional processes, including selective & sustained attention. This enhancement in attentional control is thought to be mediated by increased arousal & activation of brain regions associated with attentional processing.
Memory: Research suggests that acute exercise can enhance various aspects of memory, including working, episodic & spatial memory. These improvements are attributed to increased activity & neurogenesis in the Hippocampus, as well as enhanced synaptic plasticity in brain regions involved in memory formation.
Executive Function: Acute exercise has been shown to improve executive functions such as cognitive flexibility, inhibition & planning. These improvements are thought to be mediated by increased prefrontal cortex activation & connectivity, leading to more efficient executive control processes.
Neurophysiology:
Brain Activity: Acute exercise induces changes in brain activity, including increased neural activation in regions associated with motor control, cognition & emotion regulation. These changes are thought to reflect the mobilization of cognitive resources to support the demands of exercise & facilitate task performance.
Brain Connectivity: Exercise has been shown to enhance functional connectivity within & between brain networks, promoting efficient information processing & communication between brain regions. These connectivity changes are associated with improvements in cognitive function & mood following exercise.
Neuroplasticity: Acute exercise stimulates neuroplasticity mechanisms, such as synaptic plasticity and neurogenesis, particularly in brain regions crucial for learning and memory. These neuroplastic changes contribute to the adaptive responses of the brain & support cognitive improvements.
Neurochemical Pathways:
Dopamine: Many forms of exercise lead to the release of dopamine in the brain, which is associated with improved mood, motivation & reward processing. Dopamine release during exercise may enhance cognitive function by promoting arousal & attentional focus.
Serotonin: Increases in serotonin levels during & post exercise, are linked to mood regulation & stress reduction. Elevated serotonin levels following exercise may contribute to the mood-enhancing effects & cognitive benefits associated with physical activity.
Endorphins: Acute exercise triggers the release of endorphins, which are endogenous opioids that modulate pain perception & mood. Endorphin release during exercise may contribute to the feelings of euphoria & well-being commonly experienced after physical activity.
In summary, many forms of exercise exert beneficial effects on cognition, neurophysiology & neurochemical pathways through various mechanisms, including increased brain activity, connectivity & neurotransmitter release. These findings underscore the importance of regular physical activity as a means to promote cognitive health & well-being across the lifespan