Dance your way to health

The brain is no different than rest of the muscles in your body you either use it or you lose it. You utilize the gym to stimulate the growth of muscle cells, just as you use a brain fitness program to increase connections in your brain. But you can get more of a brain boost by donning your gym shoes and hitting the gym. The benefits of physical exercise, especially aerobic exercise, has positive effects on your brain function on multiple fronts, ranging from the molecular to behavioural level.

Physical exercise does not need to begin with going to the gym for physical training, but can begin at home with a  simple increase in physical activity this is just the key to keep the brain at its peak, so that it perceives accurately, and remembers well.

It has been shown that running can promote brain cell survival in animals with neurodegenerative disease. Previous work had indicated that running can boost brain cell growth in normal mice. In a new study, however, it was found that mice with a condition similar to the disorder ataxia-telangiectasia, which in humans leads to a loss of motor control that typically leaves patients wheelchair bound. Mice that ran were found to exhibit higher levels of cell survival than did their non-running counterparts. In sedentary mice it appears that most newly born brain cells die. Running appears to rescue many of these cells that would otherwise die. This study suggests that staying active may help delay progression of neurodegenerative conditions.

Exercise affects the brain on multiple fronts. It increases heart rate, which pumps more oxygen to the brain. It also aids the bodily release of a plethora of hormones, all of which participate in aiding and providing a nourishing environment for the growth of brain cells.

Movement, rhythms, physical activity, and exercise help control many conditions such as ADD, Dyslexia, Learned Helplessness, Hyperactivity, Delayed Sleep Disorder, Oppositional Disorder, Learning Delays, Reactive Attachment Disorder, Brain Injury and Conduct Disorder.

Abnormal glucose tolerance can lead to brain impairments, and exercise helps regulate blood sugar levels. In children, exercise has been shown to improve cognitive function, and improve motor skill development. In adults, especially as we age, regular physical activity increases memory and slows the aging process of the brain. Studies show that very active people who engage in regular physical activity have much lower rates of memory loss, dementia, Alzheimer and do better on cognitive function tests.

When one does little to no exercise, areas of the brain that are stimulated by exercise and help us feel good are not as active, and this can contribute to depression. 

Exercise can also have effects on the brain similar to antidepressants, stimulating the connection of new neurons. These strong neural networks keep our minds healthy, enabling quicker recall and better memory performance. Being active helps us have a better quality of life. Active people are healthier inside and out, and when our processes are working optimally we are supporting our sustained livelihood and well-being.

Glutamate, the most common neurotransmitter in the brain, is also the major excitatory neurotransmitter involved in many aspects of brain function including learning and memory. Animal studies have shown that treadmill running significantly increases glutamate levels during and for a short while after exercise.

Interestingly, differences between exercise styles, such as opting for cycling over running, is associated with an enhanced brain function during and after working out. Ballroom dancing, an activity with both physical and mental demands has had a higher impact on cognitive functioning over exercise or mental tasks alone, indicating that the best brain health workouts involve those that integrate different parts of the brain such as co-ordination, rhythm, and strategy.

Blood travelling to the body’s brain at greater rates feeds the brain the needed nutrients of oxygen and glucose. Glucose is to the brain what gasoline is to a car, brain fuel. Each time you think, you use up a little glucose. Brain activity is measured by glucose utilization.

A Human exchanges about 10% of their oxygen with each normal breath, meaning that about 90% of the oxygen in our brain is stale until we deep breathe or exercise. A lack of oxygen to the brain results in disorientation, confusion, fatigue, sluggishness, concentration, and memory problems.

Researchers also are finding biological evidence that exercise can help the brain on other fronts. For example, animal studies are determining that exercise prevents the negative effects of chronic stress on the brain at the molecular level and boosts the brain's biological battle against infection.

Exercise reduces feelings of frustration: A good way to get rid of stressful thoughts is to go for a walk or jog. Performing physical activity forces the brain to concentrate on your body and its surroundings, giving the mind a break from focusing solely on frustrations. Exercise may boost a depressed person's outlook by helping him return to meaningful activity and providing a sense of accomplishment. Exercise is physical activity that gets the heart rate into the target heart rate zone. Exercise can reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. Exercise helps our muscles use the bad fats that clog our heart. Exercise can also help to prevent high blood pressure from developing in the first place.