What I've Been Learning Recently: Exercise & The Brain

 

Exercise and the Brain

    So I've just started this 8-week class and it's a kinesiology class. This is the book we've been assigned to read for the class and take notes, etc. So far I have learned that exercise affects more than the body's health. A video we watched about Naperville Central High School and they had proved that with mid-high intense workout everyday for 30 minutes improved the students grades. They had done a test for math and science and were one of the top ranked schools for best scores. Then another school that had students who were failing and not participating began participating in putting their students through more exercise, and then the students were able to focus in class and also began to become more motivated. Also, Naperville Central High School's students were fitter and had fewer obese students than the population's average. 

    I never actually thought about how exercise could affect the brain so drastically. I knew that working out helped people sleep better, focus, do better in school, and just overall health. I just never knew how. But working out releases neurotransmitters and it also increases the volume of the brain because of the increased production of brain cells. While reading I also learned about a protein that rapidly increased the branches in the brain's transmitters. There was a study where this protein called BDNF was put on a Petri dish and the cells automatically grew the cells. This protein also is known to alter our genes to produce more proteins and this all just increases cell production. 

    Then a very widely known topic of ADHD was discussed and the author wrote about how certain patients of his are misunderstood and need guidance. A lot of ADHD patients are looked at as rebellious and untamable in their younger years. However, this is a common thing and these children need the right stimulation. When these people get older some grow out of it but others and many other people don't know they have ADHD as adults. "4% of adults have ADHD" Now this is a statistic that could definitely be more than actuality. Also, many people have a misconception that having ADHD is not being able to focus so people don't think they have ADHD if they can focus. This isn't true because people with ADHD can focus on things, it's just certain things in particular that can stimulate their minds enough.