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It may be possible to make learning later in life easier through continued cardio exercise, according to a recent study.
Aerobic exercise, such as running, has positive effects on brain structure and function, including the creation of new neurons (neurogenesis) in the hippocampus, a brain structure important in learning.
In addition, genetic factors which play into brain development were considered in the study, and both high-intensity interval training (HIT) and anaerobic resistance training were compared to cardio for brain results.
Researchers from the Department of Psychology and from the Department of Biology of Physical Activity at the University of Jyväskylä, in Finland, studied the effects of sustained running exercise, HIIT and resistance training on adult hippocampal neurogenesis in adult male rats.
The exercise training period was 6 to 8 weeks (including running, HIT or resistance training) during which control animals of the same rat line/strain remained in sedentary conditions in the home cage for comparison.
The results showed that the highest number of new hippocampal neurons was observed in rats that ran long distances and that also had a genetic predisposition to benefit from aerobic exercise, in comparison to their lazy relatives.
Rats that ran voluntarily on a running wheel had two or three times more new hippocampal neurons at the end of the experiment.
Resistance training and HIIT workouts had little to no effect, proving only sustained aerobic exercise improved hippocampal neurogenesis in adult animals.
This is noteworthy because of previous research showing that new hippocampal are needed for learning temporally and spatially complex tasks.
Because of this, they’ve concluded that cardio exercise can help build up a reserve of neurons in the hippocampus, improving learning in humans as well.
The research report has been accepted for publication in the Journal of Physiology: London.
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