Physical exercise not only helps your body remain in shape, it can also help your brain remain sharp. This is according to the experts at the Harvard Health Publications. Exercises like high-intensity jump rope training can have positive effects on the function of your brain.
Exercise in general affects the brain in multiple ways. As you exercise, your heart rate increases which pump more oxygen to your brain. This helps in the renourishment of brain cells. According to studies done a published by the Harvard Health Publications, exercise can also stimulate new growth connections between brain cells. High-intensity workouts can also help memory and thinking.
These benefits of exercise stem from the creation of chemicals such as insulin that affect the health of the bra
in. The effects of these chemicals assist in the growth of new blood vessels and the growth of new brain cells. The release of these chemicals also can improve your mood, sleep, and reduces stress. Studies also suggest that exercises similar to high intensity jump rope training can also have an effect on the size of the prefrontal cortex and medial cortex which control thinking and memory. The study suggests that people who exercise more had bigger prefrontal and temporal cortex that people who didn’t exercise.
Exercise also has additional benefits for your brain. These include:
- Better executive function and problem solving
- Brain reorganizes itself to handle stress better.
- Brain learns new concepts faster
- Gives your brain will power to focus
- Increases chemical levels of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine which at lower volumes can cause you to feel depressed.
One of the most important benefits of exercise on the brain is the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). An increase of BDNF in the brain improves the function of neurons, encourages their growth and strengthens them against the natural process of cell death. BDNF is important because it is a crucial biological link between thought, emotions, and movement. Twenty to thirty minutes of exercise can increase the amount of BDNF by 32 percent, according to recent studies.
The next time you need to study for an exam, instead of grabbing a cup of coffee, try exercising to prepare your brain. Pick up your jump rope and give HIJRT a try before that exam. Need a fast workout you can take anywhere with you? Join HIJRT Xpress for a full-body transformation on a tight schedule. To learn more, contact us today.