News: Exercise May Enhance the Effects of a... (The New York Times) - Behind the headlines - NLM (2024)

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How does exercise affect our memory in New York Times? ›

Studies show that immediately after a bout of physical activity, people perform better on tests of working memory and other executive functions. This may be in part because movement increases the release of neurotransmitters in the brain, most notably epinephrine and norepinephrine.

Past studies with animals show that exercise prompts the creation of many new brain cells in the hippocampus, presumably providing the raw materials — the blank canvas — onto which strong, new memories can be written and allowing for improvements in many types of memory after exercise.

According to the current Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, adults need 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity a week. This can also be 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity.

Exercise improves memory by increasing molecular targets like the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). This molecular factor increases synaptogenesis, forming new synapses that mediate learning and memory, making it easier to absorb information and form long-term memories.

Exercise improves neurogenesis — the formation of new neurons in your brain. Those new neurons help us sort information, remember specific moments in time and avoid confusion. There's also evidence that neurogenesis helps us handle stress and emotions and may even help us forget harmful memories.

Working memory isn't just for short-term use. It also helps the brain organize new information for long-term storage. When people have trouble with working memory, the brain may store information in a jumbled way. Or it may not store it for the long term at all.

Get at least 150 minutes (for example, 30 minutes 5 days a week) of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity a week. Get at least 2 days a week of muscle- strengthening activities that include all major muscle groups.

All adults should undertake 150–300 min of moderate-intensity, or 75–150 min of vigorous-intensity physical activity, or some equivalent combination of moderate-intensity and vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity, per week.

reduce the risk of hypertension, coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, various types of cancer (including breast cancer and colon cancer), and depression; reduce the risk of falls as well as hip or vertebral fractures; and. help maintain a healthy body weight.

Research shows that people who exercise regularly have better mental health and emotional wellbeing, and lower rates of mental illness. Taking up exercise seems to reduce the risk of developing mental illness. It also seems to help in treating some mental health conditions, like depression and anxiety.

How does exercise reduce the risk of disease? ›

Exercise strengthens your heart and improves your circulation. The increased blood flow raises the oxygen levels in your body. This helps lower your risk of heart diseases such as high cholesterol, coronary artery disease, and heart attack. Regular exercise can also lower your blood pressure and triglyceride levels.

Exercise training enhances memory performance via neuroplastic alterations. Long-lasting moderate aerobic exercise is a more efficient neuroprotective modality. Exercise-induced memory improvement might be mediated via neurotrophic factors, and exerkines.

Physical activity may improve some aspects of memory. For example, it can help you to have clearer memories of certain events, whether or not you have dementia. Alongside other factors such as diet, physical activity may also help to lower the risk of developing the condition at all.

Studies have shown that muscle memory after resistance exercise may last 12 to 22 weeks. An older study suggests that muscle memory causes muscle cell changes that last for at least 15 years. But how long muscle memory lasts likely depends on several factors, including exercise intensity and frequency.