Exercise—any movement, really—has been shown, in study after study, to boost brain function through a combination of “the creation of new neurons, blood vessels and synapses and greater overall volume in areas of the brain related to memory and higher-level thinking.” The New York Times goes on to explain that all this, along with increased bloodflow, means better memories and cognitive skills accrue to the movers and shakers among us.
Take 10 days off, though, and the benefits start to evaporate. How unfair is that?
Lead kinesiologist J. Carson Smith at the University of Maryland–College Park tells the Times that his new study isn’t meant to terrify anyone, even if it’s a bit scary to think we lose exercise’s brain benefits after a week or so of the still life. Instead, he hopes it will remind us all to keep moving, whether it’s a lunch time walk or a sweaty TRX/Circuit session at Six°! Okay, so he didn’t mention that second one… but we will. Maybe you’re in a routine and feeling a little bored or maybe the back to school rush got you out of your workout habits. This is a great time to check out our schedule—your own personal menu of brain and body building workouts. We’ll see you in the studio!