Which Type of Exercise is Best for Your Brain?

Feeling down? Backed by a wealth of research, working up a sweat is an all-natural way to lift the mood. Not to mention improve the memory, and protect the brain against age related cognitive decline. There’s no arguing with the fact that exercise gets the endorphins flowing. But is there a certain workout that comes up trumps?

According to a pair of recent studies, any type of exercise that raises the heart rate for a sustained period of time has overwhelming benefits for the brain. Also known as aerobic exercise, Harvard Medical School experts maintain that working up a heavy sweat is just as good for the head, as it is for the heart. Some benefits (like a lift in mood) can emerge just minutes after sweat beads start to flow, while others (like improved memory) may take multiple weeks to appear. So, for those wanting to burn energy and bolster the brain, the best type of workout is aerobic exercise done regularly and consistently, for at least 45 consecutive minutes.

Combating depressions, stress and memory loss

From a mood perspective, another pilot study found that brisk walks or jogs can make all the difference. Researchers found that just 30 minutes of treadmill walking for 10 consecutive days was enough to trigger a “clinically relevant and statistically significant reduction in depression” for people suffering from severe depression.

Another study published in the Journal of Physical Therapy Science confirmed that aerobic workouts actively alleviate stress by reducing levels of the body's natural stress hormones, like adrenaline and cortisol.

Meanwhile, a study released by the British Journal suggests that over 50s garner the best results from a combination of aerobic and resistance exercise. For adults aged 60-88, just 30 minutes of walking, four days a week for 12 weeks significantly strengthened connectivity in a region of the brain that’s linked with memory loss.

Sweat smarts

While researchers aren’t 100% sure why aerobic exercise is best for the brain, they suspect that higher heart rates heighten blood flow, which feeds the brain with fresh oxygen and energy. So, for anyone that lacks motivation when it comes to hitting the gym, pounding the pavement or signing up for that boot camp class, the brain serves as bona fide inspiration.

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