How The Exercise Can Protect Your Brain - What The Science Says
From preventing heart disease to alleviating depression, the physical and mental benefits of exercise are obvious. But according to a new review of research published in the journal NeuroImage, regular exercise is an excellent way to prevent the brain from shrinking and protect against cognitive decline as we age.
According to lead researcher Joseph Firth, after age 40 even the healthiest brains begin to decline by 5 percent per decade—but because of a chemical called BDNF, exercise can prevent this decline. When we exercise, more BDNF is released in the brain, causing the hippocampus to react and the brain to grow, changing brain volume.
"[The reason the brain declines] is partly due to less BDNF in the brain," says Firth. "Exercise regulates the BDNF and prevents it from deteriorating."
So, what counts as regular exercise? According to the CDC, 150 minutes of exercise per week is enough to get the benefits—that's just 20 minutes a day.
So no more excuses! Keep your mind & body healthy with our fun classes!
Need ideas for workouts you can do at home over the holidays? Try our Ballet Body Sculpture Online Classes - See a section for avery need here: