What does sport do in the brain?

You may have heard about the benefits of exercise for physical health.

They help control weight , reduce the risk of heart disease, help control blood sugar and insulin levels, strengthen bones and muscles, reduce the risk of cancer, reduce the risk of falls and improve sex life.

 But, in today’s article, we will learn about other types of benefits that sport provides, we will learn about the amazing effects it can have on brain health!

  Can help with attention

 The individual alpha frequency (IAPF) is part of the electroencephalogram (EEG), a test that analyzes the spontaneous electrical activity of the brain, the IAPF measures a patient’s ability to focus and pay attention.

 But what does exercise have to do with it?  Well, obviously, this ability to concentrate increases after exercise.

  Can contribute to improving memory

 Aerobic exercise such as walking or running, for example, is thought to help with the growth of the cerebral hippocampus, the area associated with memory and learning.

 It can also slow down the shrinkage of the house, which can lead to memory loss as you grow older. 

  Can alleviate the symptoms of anxiety and depression

 Aerobic exercise can relieve symptoms of anxiety or depression because sport slows down brain cell damage and breakdown.

 In addition, when exercising, chemicals are released that can improve mood, this can help deal with stress and reduce the risk of depression.

 So much so that the processor can suggest exercise as part of treatment against anxiety or depression.

 However, it is important to know that the exercises might take months to offer benefits in this regard, therefore, must bear some patience.

 Finally, we are not saying that sports can replace the treatment of anxiety or depression, only that it can help relieve symptoms.

  Can help the brain to become more flexible

 This refers to neuroplasticity, that is, the ability for the brain to change when learning and trying new things.

 While younger brains are better at this task than older brains, this ability can vary even among people of the same age.

 But what role does sport play in this story?  Scientists believe that both aerobic exercise and weight training help brains to be more flexible.

  Can contribute to reducing the risk of dementia

 People who don’t exercise are more susceptible to Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

 One reason is that sport contributes to the Prevention of factors associated with dementia, such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and depression. 

 But exercise is also thought to have a direct effect on reducing this risk.

 Aerobic exercises help get blood to the brain, partly because they strengthen the heart and blood vessels.

 Strong blood vessels help improve blood flow and thus stop the accumulation of plaque associated with dementia.

 Some scientists believe that a strong blood flow helps to nourish the brain in such a way that it slows down mental deterioration.  However, they are still trying to figure out exactly how this process works.

  Can help improve executive function

 But what is this?  Order executive function the brain’s ability to organize and interpret information in a logical manner.  Research has already suggested that exercise improves this ability.

 Can help you sleep well

 It is known that exercise can help you stay calm at bedtime and establish a healthy daily rhythm or biological clock.

 They can also help you to sleep more quickly and stay asleep longer.

 It is unclear what exactly the brain effects associated with this are.  However, it is believed that people who exercise more tend to get a larger type of deep sleep which helps to stimulate the brain and body.