- A new study published in the journal Neurology says certain parts of the brain benefit most from the boost in blood flow and oxygen you get from regular exercise.
- The research included 2,550 participants, ages 30 to 94, and compared physical activity data to MRI-based measures of brain volume and combined thickness of the layers of the brain, which is said to be associated with cognitive function.
- Older individuals showed stronger effects from low-intensity exercise compared to younger individuals, who had greater results with moderate- to high-intensity activity.
After a particularly satisfying run, you might feel like you focus better, learn faster, and simply think with more clarity. Well, that’s not your imagination. A new study published in the journal Neurology suggests there are certain regions of the brain that benefit most from the boosted blood flow and oxygen supply prompted by regular exercise.
Plus, that effect is true even into your 90s, and it actually doesn’t take much to see benefits, the researchers found.
Looking at 2,550 participants, ages 30 to 94 in large-scale research in Germany called the Rhineland Study, researchers at the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases—known in that country as DZNE—compared physical activity data to MRI-based measures of brain volume and cortical thickness, or the combined thickness of the layers of the brain which is said to be associated with cognitive function. Participants also wore an accelerometer on their upper thighs for seven days, which collects information on exercise intensity and frequency.
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They found significant associations between regular, moderate physical activity and brain volume, as well as cortical thickness particularly in regions implicated in motor functions and cognitive functions.
“Our results imply that the effects of physical activity on brain structure are not uniform across the brain, but may be preferential for regions with a high demand for oxygen," Fabienne Fox, Ph.D.(c), researcher at the DZNE told Bicycling. This is significant because these oxygen-demanding areas of the brain—including the cerebellum (which controls movement, balance, and muscles) and the hippocampus (responsible for learning and memory)—see a bigger benefit than other parts like the occipital lobe (sight and smell), temporal lobe (speech and hearing), and parietal lobe (pain and touch).
“The biggest differences were in those who spent little time on physical activity compared to those who were a bit more physically active, which suggests that engaging in just a little more non-sedentary activities has great brain health benefits,” Fox said.
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In terms of brain changes based on age, Fox said older individuals showed stronger effects from low-intensity exercise compared to younger individuals, who had greater results with moderate- to high-intensity activity. But even a slight bump in low-intensity activity when you’re younger could be a brain booster, Fox added.
“We believe the relation between physical activity and brain structure follows a dose-relationship,” she said. “At the very low end of the activity spectrum, with people who are usually sedentary, very little physical activity is required to evoke big brain health benefits, whereas the added benefits from additional physical activity get smaller as you become more active.”
Even if the effects are more modest for those who are highly active, exercise still offers a brain health benefit. “Generally speaking, as we age our brain volume shrinks, our cortical thickness decreases and we lose neurons. This is further exacerbated in neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, our findings suggest that physical activity could help us, at least partially, in the prevention of this neuronal loss,” Fox said. This means physical activity could have a preventative advantage in lowering risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, she said.
That can be especially notable when combined with other modifiable lifestyle habits, Fox added, like a healthy diet, low tobacco and alcohol consumption, cognitive stimulation, and social interactions.
Elizabeth Millard is a freelance writer focusing on health, wellness, fitness, and food.
