Can Aerobic Exercise Actually Impact The Brain?

Aerobic exercise is cardiovascular conditioning and increases oxygen delivery to the body whilst also increasing endurance. Aerobic exercise induces neuroplasticity (ability for the brain to change and adapt positively or negatively to new information and environmental influences) and improves cognitive performance. The positive impact of neuroplasticity is your growth, adaptability & survival as a human being, whereas it is suggested that maladaptive neuroplasticity is associated with some mental health disorders.

Therefore, aerobic exercise is a practical way to reduce the likelihood of mental health difficulties and increase positive health benefits.

Aerobic Exercise Equipment and Apparel

The positive influence of aerobic exercise on neuroplasticity is more pronounced within the hippocampus than in any other brain region.

What does the hippocampus do?

It is the centre for memory, learning and emotional processing in the brain. If an individual is being impacted by a mental health condition, the hippocampus can be impacted resulting in emotional, memory and learning difficulties.

What is the positive news?

Aerobic exercise is particularly important in supporting the hippocampus in building gray matter to support higher academic achievement and preservation of the mind into old age. So whether you're at school or at university, exercise is a tool to increase your achievement. Further, if you are concerned about cognitive decline regardless of how old you are, exercise can support you throughout your life.

In a nutshell, studies with a focus on the hippocampus and aerobic exercise suggest improvements to:

• Performance in hippocampi tasks (i.e. memory, learning);

• The functioning of the hippocampus in individuals with Alzheimer's Disease and Huntington's Disease to counteract deterioration;

• Symptoms linked to Schizophrenia and Major Depressive Disorder.

This doesn't mean you should substitute any intervention you are currently receiving from your health professionals, it means that you have a tool for your kit in supporting a healthy life.

Whilst there is a plethora or research with specific suggestions for exercise and a physiotherapists, occupational therapist, exercise physiologist or nutritionist may have specific protocols for you, the Heart Foundation has some guidelines that a generalised to the wider population.

If you are 5-17 YEARS:

• 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise every day

If you are 18-64 YEARS:

• 2.5 hours of vigorous exercise per week

Further Reading and Sources:

Heart Foundation (n.d.). Physical activity and your heart health. https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/healthy-living/physical-activity/physical-activity-and-exercise#

Kandola, A., Hendrikse, J., Lucassen, P. J., & Yücel, M. (2016). Aerobic exercise as a tool to improve hippocampal plasticity and function in humans: Practical implications for mental health treatment. Frontiers in human neuroscience, 10, 373.

Krystal, J. H., Tolin, D. F., Sanacora, G., Castner, S. A., Williams, G. V., Aikins, D. E., Hoffman, R. E., & D'Souza, D. C. (2009). Neuroplasticity as a target for the pharmacotherapy of anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and schizophrenia. Drug discovery today, 14(13-14), 690–697. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drudis.2009.05.002