Exercise and the Mind-the Benefits May Suprise You!

While the idea that exercise is more beneficial than just physical exercise is nothing new, a recent Newsweek article shed light on some on the recent conclusions scientists have reached.

Although the common stereotype of 'dumb jock' is still a strong bias held by many, the latest research shows that jocks are proving to be anything but dumb.
Ask any high school guidance counselor and they'll be the first to tell you that the student athletes also tend to be the scholars.

While many assume that the high grades are due to an athlete's discipline and fear of being kept from playing sports, there is much more to the story. Student athletes tend to perform higher academically, mainly because their physical bodies are a bit healthier.

Exercise is known for allowing the heart to pump oxygen to the brain. In turn, the brain is more alert. Not only does the oxygen allow for clearer thinking, there are other direct results of exercise on the mind.

For example, neuron connections are increased due to the amount of oxygen in the brain. Retention is improved, and people who exercise regularly are more likely to perform higher on academic type evaluations.

Whether or not exercise can actually make you smarter is something that has been debated throughout the past several centuries. However, the ancient Greek Athletes were also known for being the most brilliant of their time.

According to a recent Newsweek article, exercise not only prevents heart disease. It is also linked to boosting brainpower and may help prevent Alzheimer's.

One study, performed by a Professor of Neuroscience and kinesiology at the University of Illinois, proved that there was a direct link between brain and brawn. Elementary students were tested in the classic PE routines; sit and reach pushups, etc. The same students' scores were compared with their statewide standardized tests. The tests included factors such as socioeconomic status.

The result of the studies proved that the most physically healthy students, tended to perform the highest on standardized test scores.