In recent years, many studies have focused on the benefits of sport on the brain. Thus, physical activity would be an excellent stimulant for the brain, help to ward off depression, stimulate memory and promote the development of new neurons.
To better understand how sport can make us smarter, we relied on studies published in early 2016 in The Journal of Physiology , which states that physical activity triggers neurogenesis (see below) or in Cell Metabolism in August 2016 , about the proven benefits of running. We also asked his advice to the sports coach Jean-François Rousset.
Activate to stimulate the production of neurons
The discovery of "brain plasticity" in recent years has contributed to the interest of Science for the benefits of sport on the brain. Indeed, while we thought that the brain was developing from birth to early adulthood (around 20-25 years) before declining slowly, "brain plasticity" shows that the nervous system can, at any moment, produce new connections.
It then forms new synapses (areas of contact between nerve cells) and new neurons. The production of new neurons is called "neurogenesis". However, it has been shown through practices and studies that physical activity helps to stimulate this neurogenesis.
Sport, a fertilizer for the brain
Sport would not make us more intelligent in the sense that it does not give us new knowledge, but it allows us to sharpen our intellectual tools in order to better use them. Jean-François Rousset explains that sport is an excellent stimulant of the brain for 6 reasons:
- 1- It "improves blood circulation, which makes the brain is better oxygenated" and our ability to think more operational.
- 2- It also promotes the production of a protein, called "neurotrophic factor derived brain" (BDNF for brain-derived neurotrophic factor ). Thus, the production of new neurons is stimulated and existing neurons are preserved. Sport would therefore act as a kind of fertilizer for the brain.
- 3- It stimulates memory "by triggering neurogenesis in the hippocampus, the area of the brain responsible for memory and spatial orientation," says Jean-François Rousset.
- 4- Sport can also improve the process of repairing the brain, regulate the body and prevent aging of the brain.
- 5- Sport would also act as an anti-depressant and anti-stress.
- 6- Finally, by secreting dopamine and endorphins, physical activity improves sleep: "thanks to physical activity, your sleep is more restorative.The sport works as a doping product, it triggers a reward system in the brain and creates a sense of pleasure, "says Jean-François Rousset. The feeling of well-being triggered by endorphins makes it easier to find a serene sleep.
Running, the best sport to improve your brain abilities
If physical activity does not generate knowledge, it prepares the brain for learning. However, studies have investigated whether all sports produced the same result.
The journal Cell Metabolism, in an article entitled Running-induced systemic Cathepsin B is associated with memory function explains that running would have the power to secrete cathepsin B, which contributes to the expression of neurotrophic factor derived from the brain and participates in the production of new neurons.
However, while running is very successful in the brain, studies have shown that weight training and HIIT (high intensity interval training) have only a small impact on brain activity. Endurance activities, cardiovascular, would be the best to improve our intellectual abilities by preserving and regenerating our brain.
