Want a Sharper Memory? Lace Up Your Running Shoes!

Exercise has long been touted for its ability to control weight gain, combat health conditions and diseases, improve mood, boost energy, and promote better sleep. Now, researchers have determined that exercise also boosts blood flow to the part of the brain involved in memory, meaning those runs, bike rides, and aerobics classes are also contributing to your ability to remember.

“The benefits of exercise are immense, not just to muscle growth and joint strength, but also to the brain,” explains Dr. Todd P. Murphy, sports medicine doctor at Orthopedic Associates of Port Huron. “I encourage my patients to maintain an active lifestyle, and this is just one more addition to the long list of reasons why exercise is good for overall health.”

Researchers determined that an active lifestyle improves memory through an experiment involving people with low levels of aerobic fitness. After completing a regular exercise program for three months, the researchers found that exercise can boost not only aerobic fitness levels, but also improve results of a memory test because of increased blood flow to the memory-related part of the brain. The results also rang true with people who already maintained active lifestyles.

The relationship between physical activity and brainpower is complex, but doctors say, in general, exercise is proven to enhance a person’s ability to remember. If you have questions about the benefits of exercise, call (810) 985-4900 to speak with one of the sports medicine doctors at Orthopedic Associates of Port Huron.