Your Brain and Exercise

Around 2015 or 2016 I first presented my lecture - Your Brain and Exercise. The lecture was given at Georgetown College in Georgetown Ky. The lecture consisted of information regarding how exercise benefits the brain. Some of the key points included: Mechanisms that mediate the effects of exercise on the brain:

      Neurogenesis

     Synaptic Plasticity

     Spine density

     Angiogenesis & vascular growth factors

     Neurotransmitters and growth factors

In  In the lecture an overview of these mechanisms and how they impact brain structure and function were discussed. In addition, different exercise modes were discussed and recommendations for exercise and brain health were given.

Interested in hosting seminar let me know- virtual or in-person jamie.hale1@gmail.com

Your Brain and Exercise 2.0 (seminar)

The new seminar involves more information and has two main components - Motor structures and How exercise benefits the brain. The motor structures component briefly mentions history of the motor cortex and other brain structures involved with movement (including early discoveries). An understanding of the nervous system and movements needs to involve much more than a description of “excitation-contraction coupling.” Excitation-contraction coupling is important, but it is a small part of nervous system related activity and its influence on movement. The brain structures involved with movement and sensori-motor interactions need to be discussed if an understanding of neuromuscular activity is the desired outcome. The potential for exercise to impact the brain is huge and it is important to consider various types of exercise and measures regarding outcomes. These considerations are also part of Your Brain and Exercise 2.0. There is a possibility that the Power Point may be made available for sale and can be used for educational purposes and presentations, with the understanding that the lecture was constructed by me. Relevant information: 

Exercise doesn’t always improve cognition

Exercise may lead to an array of benefits regarding brain and cognitive health. The finding that some types of executive function may be negatively impacted by some types of exercise doesn’t mean exercise is bad for the brain. In fact, to reiterate, there is a plethora of research showing a range of benefits for brain health and cognitive processes. We should avoid saying or over generalizing and asserting all exercise benefits thinking, but at the same time acknowledging the range of potential benefits that exercise may offer to the brain full article 

Why Exercise Is Good for the Brain?

Some of the earliest research showing the effects of exercise on the brain came from neuroscience pioneer Marian Diamond and colleagues (1964). Diamond’s research focused on how the brain changes (neuroplasticity). It looked at rats raised in enriched environments. The study involved three groups of rats: those raised in enriched, standard, and impoverished environments. Enriched environments are those that provide various stimuli created to promote complex sensory experiences. The rats in the enriched environment were exposed to other rats (often involving lots of play among the rats and other interactions), various toys, objects, and running wheels. The rats had the opportunity to live an activity-filled life. full article