If a person undertakes regular and frequent physical exercises, it results in improving their immune system and helps reducing their chances of contracting bodily infirmities like cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and its various forms and obesity. Extensive and regular physical exercises are also said to improve the mental health of the person undertaking them. It also helps prevent mental ailments like anxiety and depression, sharpens memory and helps to augment or maintain positive self esteem.
Does it really work?
Physical exercises are very useful in priming the body and getting it into shape. Researchers the world over through their respective research have reached a consensus that physical exercises have a similar role in priming the mind. New research suggests that physical exercises promote healthy brains which are then able to function at their finest levels. Physical fitness prompts nerve cells to increase activity, strengthen their connections and defenses from potential threats. The positives effects of an active brain seem to extend to nerves that are diseased or damaged. The increasing positive effects of physical exercises have inspired newer avenues of research to locate new treatments for patients suffering from brain related diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, and injuries to the spinal cord.
What research says?
Initial Scientific research had concentrated on preventing dementia in the aged population, but a recent research published in the 2010 December edition of Washington based National academy of sciences showed that teenagers and younger adults can also get their brain skills enhanced by exercising regularly.
The research conducted a study on physically fit 18 year old males and the effect of such fitness on their understanding and perception skills. It concluded that those who were in their best cardiovascular shape excelled in the tests performed on them in comparison to the rest.
According to a participating researcher Dr. Georg Kuhn, the study analyzed the behavior of over 2,00,000 pairs of siblings including twins who numbered over 3,000 of whom the majority were identical twins. The tests conducted on the identical twins were the best example of the effects of environmental influences of exercising on their genetic makeup. It showed that the healthier twin fared better in Intelligence quotient tests conducted on him. Dr. John Ratey, professor at the Harvard School of Medicine, opined that although the new study does not generalize but in combination with similar studies has postulated that improved cardiovascular fitness enhances cognitive performance and academic excellence.
What can you do?
To have a healthy brain functioning people can try walking, swimming, or any physical other activity that increases their hear rate. Even routine activities likes gardening, cleaning or washing clothes are useful ways of exercising. Learning to do temperate amount of weight and resistance training not only results in the increase of muscle mass but they are equally beneficial to maintain a healthy brain. People should strive to combine aerobics and strength training instead of undertaking either activity separately.
For people over 65 years of age, adding two or three strength training sessions to their weekly routine may cut their risk of contracting Alzheimer’s by half. Head injuries sustained from falls can become potential threats as people with such injuries grows older, which increases the risk of contracting disease like Alzheimer’s and dementia. Balance and synchronization exercises can help people to stay alert and keep away from falls or drops. Trying yoga, Chinese yoga forms like Tai Chi, or exercises using balanced discs or balanced balls are equally good in inculcating balance and stability within the body.
It takes precisely twenty eight days for a new schedule to become a habit. Once a person crosses this phase, maintaining a steady exercise regimen will come naturally to them. In the intervening period, one should set realistic goals on working out calendar and follow it religiously. The frequent rewards from regular exercises and the increased feel-good endorphin hormone secretions will motivate people to undertake outdoor activities frequently.
