The human Brain is an amazing organ with tremendous capabilities. It is the main organ of the central nervous system and protected by the skull. It handles executive functions such as self-control, planing, reasoning and abstract thoughts.
Our beautiful brains are amazing super computers with the ability to heal, repair and re-work themselves.
.
During exercising, the muscles are worked and it stimulated the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain. Both blood and oxygen are essential for the smooth functioning of the brain, same as how engine oils are needed for perfect running of a car.
Studies have shown that one of the beneficial exercises that we can do for our brains is strength training (weight lifting).
The infographic below shows the amazing benefits and how Weightlifting affects the brain.
infographic on how weightlifting affects the brain.
Image source: Men’s health
Aerobic exercise and weight training improve brain function in a variety of ways according to studies by University of Illinois exercise students.
Thomas Jefferson once said “A strong body makes the mind strong.”
Obviously, Mr TJ he was on the right track.
WEIGHTLIFTING AND MEMORY
Heidi Godman, the executive editor, Harvard Health Letter wrote an article in the Harvard health blog titled , “Regular exercise changes the brain to improve memory thinking skills”
A lot of us get physically active for a variety of reasons. For some, it is to reduce weight, other to look good and healthy.
The big reasons include reducing the odds of developing some health issues such as strokes, heart diseases, diabetes, prevent depression or reduce blood pressure.
Another important reason that most individuals are not aware of is that exercises changes the structure of the brain in ways that protect memory and therefore improve thinking skills.
Weight lifting is much advisable for those advanced in years to help reduce the “brain fog” that comes with age.
Regular exercises such as strength training can help boost the size of the hippocampus, the brain area involved in verbal memory, learning and emotion.
Exercising is very essential as researchers say one new case of dementia is detected every four seconds globally. It is estimated that by the year 2050, the people suffering from dementia would total more than 115 million worldwide.
Exercise also reduce resistance to insulin, inflammation, stimulates the production and release of important growth factors- chemicals found in the brain that improves the brain cells’ health.
It also improves growth of new blood vessels and even helps to create new brain cells.
Lisa Weinberg, a graduate student at Georgia tech in a press release said, ” Our study indicates that people don’t have to dedicate large amounts of time to give their brain as boost”.
People with sedentary lifestyles most times have lower cognitive function reduced memory performance than people who engage in exercises.
You just need a few hours of weightlifting a week to get its effects in memory improvement.
It’s never too late to start exercising. Its advantages outweighs the sore muscles and tiredness that follows.
NO PAIN, NO GAIN
Other key ways in which weight lifting affects the brain include:
.
IS WEIGHTLIFTING ONCE A WEEK ENOUGH
Teresa Liu-Ambrose of the center for Hip Health and mobility at Vancouver Costal Health and University of British Columbia said “We were very surprised to discover the group that sustained cognitive benefits was the once-weekly strength training group.”
The twice-weekly group were noticed to be exercising less a year later, but the once-weekly group was still active and showed an increase in about 15 percent during mental skill test, the researchers found.
Once-weekly group found it much easier to continue weightlifting and to maintain the same level of physical activity.
Liu said, “those who start a once-weekly strength training program at more likely to stick with it.”
Most people start lifting with a bang and later on, the enthusiasm fizzles off. Although exercising often may seem ideally the best for you, but in the long run the best exercise program is one that you will actually stick to.
No matter what age the person is, be it young or elderly or somewhere in between, exercise and strength training can benefit the body as well as the brain.
How weightlifting affects the brain
The post How Weightlifting Affects The Brain, Science Speaks appeared first on The informania.
