Memory & Mood

Exercising the Body Keeps Mind Fit, As Well

A program of physical exercise can also play a significant role in mental fitness, says says Marcas Bamman, Ph.D., director of the Core Muscle Research Laboratory, Center for Aging researcher, and associate professor of physiology and biophysics at UAB. "We've found that people who are active exercisers tend to retain brain function better."

"The more you raise the overall activity of your internal physiology-get the heart working harder, and the muscles contracting more-you also get the nerves firing. So one of the benefits is that the central nervous system, which is the brain and spinal cord, also undergoes some adaptation. By firing up those regions of the brain that tend to decline because they're less used, you're helping keep your brain active and healthy."

Another effect of exercise is to release biochemical compounds known as endorphins in the brain, Bamman says, which can lead to a feeling of well-being sometimes called "runner's high." While that effect is temporary, he adds, the more important fitness benefit is a long-term one:

"What really carries over into people's everyday lives is the sense of self-efficacy. Not just during the exercise time itself, but in the rest of their daily routine. People tend to feel more confident, more capable of doing things. As a result, exercise can be very beneficial for people who might be at risk for dementia or other mental problems."