Physical exercises will help to quickly clarify thinking
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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It has been proved that even short-term physical education exercises will quickly potentiate the ability to think.
Everyone knows that physical education has a positive effect on health, protecting against many serious diseases. However, physical activity is useful not only for the body, but also for the quality of thought processes.
Why do many office staff recommend doing five-minute physical breaks? Many are sure: the exercises will allow a little distraction, accelerate blood circulation and relax. But, as it turned out, that's not all. Charge has a direct effect on brain activity.
Scientists representing the University of Western Ontario, decided to investigate short-term cognitive enlightenment that arise immediately after exercise. Several volunteers for ten minutes turned the pedals on the simulator, at different rates. Then they were asked to focus and look at the monitor, making eye movements in the appropriate directions. The movements of the organs of vision were evaluated by a special device, which subsequently "produced" such results. It was found that after physical activity, volunteers made fewer mistakes during testing, and their reaction was faster than those who instead of physical exercise simply relaxed or read the press.
Scientists concluded that aerobic exercise improves mental activity. Molecular stimulant is likely to be a protein in the form of a neurotrophic brain factor - its production is activated precisely after aerobic physical exercises.
After a short physical activity a person acquires concentration, becomes more attentive and executive. The excited brain quickly chooses a sequence of actions and controls their implementation.
But, as scientists point out, this effect of physical education does not last long. Nevertheless, its duration can be influenced by doing physical exercises regularly.
The loads not only improve the excitability of the nervous system, but also activate and strengthen the development of nerve cells, supporting the formation of bilateral ties. Gradually, the structural and functional components improve, which, in turn, positively affects cognitive ability.
Physical exercises minimize the risk of developing neurodegenerative pathologies associated with age, and a strong anti-stress and antidepressant effect softens the signs of most disorders of the nervous system.
Specialists pay attention to the fact that all of the above positive effects occur only after aerobic exercise. Force loads lead to a slightly different effect - rather, even to the opposite: during debilitating exercise, cortisol is released, which blocks the synthesis of the neurotrophic factor and negatively affects the quality of mental processes.
The information can be found on the pages of the publication Neuropsychologia.
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