Work Your Body, Build Your Brain

Exercisingisnt just good for your muscles it can boost yourgreymatter, too. But which workout is best for which brain function? We find out.

- Gabrielle Nathan

The link between exercise and increased mental agility is well proven by science, but now research is showing that different activities can have specific effects on your brain, from improving memory to slowing down brain ageing. ‘Particular exercises – from running to yoga – at particular intensities, can definitely affect brain functions,’ confirms British neuroscientist Dr Ben Martynoga. ‘Scientists are showing that specific physical activities can markedly alter the structure of the brain in precise ways.’

Duration and regularity of exercise can also make a difference, it would seem. A recent US study, published in The Lancet Psychiatry Journal, found that regular physical activity for 45 minutes, three to five times a week can significantly improve poor mental health. Of the 1.2m participants, those who exercised reported 1.5 fewer poor days of mental health a month than nonexercisers. Working out every other day was the best way to consistently lift mood.

Whether you want to sharpen your focus or improve your creativity, here’s what you should be doing…

IMPROVE MEMORY

PRESCRIPTION: LIGHT TO MODERATE TREADMILL WALKING AND STATIONARY CYCLING

If you’re struggling to commit your next work presentation to memory, get moving. ‘There are some interesting studies showing that if you want to learn something, such as a new language, you should listen to it while cycling or walking, because it increases memory retention, although the mechanism of how this works isn’t clear,’ explains Martynoga. He cites studies by German researchers, which monitored people walking on treadmills and cycling on stationary bikes while learning foreign language vocabulary. Results showed that light to moderate physical activity helped people recall new words.