Further, the data collected by Bori et al. showed that long-term physical activity led to increased anti-oxidant levels that allowed for protection against oxidative stress within the brains of aging rats. The study also noted that physical activity enhanced PGC-1 levels, which enhanced cell regulation and mitochondrial function and led to the inhibition of the neurodegenerative processes.
Regular Exercise Improves Cognitive Function and Decreases Oxidative Damage in Rat Brain
The research of Radak et al. (2001) focused on trying to assess whether regular swimming in rats induced changes in the oxidative stress and brain function. They used twelve, 4-week old (young) and twelve, 14 month old (middle aged) Wistar rats and randomly assigned
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It specifically focuses on two strategies: the role of physical exercise and Vitamin E in overcoming oxidative damage in normal aging of the brain. However, for the purposes of this research synthesis, I will only focus on the effect of exercise on oxidative damage in the normal aging of the rat and human brains.
Exercise is reported to up-regulate protein synthesis, which in turn can improve cellular ability to remove damaged protein by free radicals. Rats exposed to physical environments consisting aerobic activities exhibit significant increases in cortical thickness, cortical weight, and AChE levels. These changes then thus improved brain function in both rats and humans. Physical activity also stimulates further expression of nerve growth factors (NGF) in the hippocampus.
Devi (2012) reported that aerobic activities such as swimming and treadmill exercises significantly reduced oxidative stress in the aging brain and thus led to an improved cognitive function. She reported that swimming is effective in up-regulating the antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), in the cortex of older animals, which helps in improving
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The study by Bori et al. concluded from the data they obtained that there is a positive correlation between long-term aerobic physical activity and oxidative stress. Through their rat models, they identified that with continuous long-term physical activity, there is in fact a decline in the ROS accumulation in the brains of aging rats, along with an increase in anti-oxidant enzymes within the hippocampus region of their brains. These results are in accordance with the mini-review by Asha Devi whom also concluded that aerobic exercise enhances brain activity by increasing capillarization and decreasing oxidative damage which thus leads to improved brain function in older rats. Further, she also observed that physical activity increased the number of active neurons in the hippocampus of the older rat brains thus leading to further improved brain function. Thus, both studies concluded that aerobic physical training such as swimming and treadmill running can in fact be beneficial in regulating oxidative stress and delaying the onset of neural degeneration in older rats.
The data presented in the study by Radak et al., indicates that there is strong correlation between exercise training and aging brain function, which is also in accordance with the data presented
Participation in physical activity has been shown to have many health benefits for older adults; this study does not provide strong support that it protects against cognitive decline. Reports have been made that physical activity may help guard against stroke and coronary heart disease, both of which may be associated with the development of dementia. Some studies were either limited in their scope or had short follow-up times. In all they find that for older adults, physical activity alone may not protect against cognitive decline. (By Charnicia E. Huggins: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/exerciseforseniors.html)
Cavanaugh and Blanchard-Fields (2015) state that there is research showing how brain plasticity can be enhanced through aerobic exercise (p.51). It is important that adults be active in their lives. A 30-minute walk or some type of physical activity will benefit them as the age. The text mentions a study done by Erickson and his colleagues in 2009 where they studied the effect of aerobic exercise on the hippocampus. They found that due to aerobic exercise it produced greater volume in the hippocampus. This is significant because the hippocampus is the part of the brain that is responsible for memory, emotions, and spatial functioning. The body does not only need physical activities to produce healthier cognitive functioning but also nutrients. The text identifies three nutrient biomarker patterns that are significant on the aging brain. These nutrients are vitamin B, C,D, and E, omega-3, and trans fat. the foods that belong to these nutrients are beneficial to the brain. Older adults should make an effort to include these nutrients into their diets. positive impacts these nutrients make are better cognitive functioning and greater brain
In many of Edgar Allan Poe’s short works, he is said to not waste any space on the page , using literary devices to his advantage. This cannot be more evident than in Poe’s 1843 work, “The Tell Tale Heart”. In this work, Poe creates a chilling, and obsessive voice with hint of insanity at the hands of an unnamed narrator,using harsh diction, syntax, and tone.
Physical activity has been proven to have phenomenal benefits on the human body and is an important part of a balanced lifestyle. Statistics have shown that regular exercise can prevent illness and lower one’s likelihood of being diagnosed with a series of diseases significantly. It has been ‘medically proven’ that regular exercise can reduce a subject’s chance of being diagnosed with coronary heart disease or stroke by 35%, type two diabetes by 50%, colon cancer by 50%, breast cancer by 20%, early death by 30%, osteoarthritis by 83% and a number of other life threatening illnesses. Regular exercise can improve a person’s overall wellbeing and immunity to common illnesses. During physical activity, a person’s heart rate can increase significantly and allow more oxygenated blood to be supplied to muscles. A person’s breathing rate can increase during exercise and supply more oxygen to the lungs. The increased blood flow during exercise allows the brain to function better. Exercise has many benefits to the human body and is a major factor of disease
Pepsi created this advertisement to get people in the Halloween spirit. Since many of their American audience celebrates Halloween, it’s a good opportunity to increase sale and by using a Halloween joke to imply that they are better than their competitor, coca- cola. This helps them appeal to people who enjoy humor. The purpose of this ad was to use hilarity to persuade people to buy their product over their competitions. The joking tone of this advertisement in part with the Halloween mood really makes this ad better and more likely to create profit.
In the book Spark, written by Dr. John J. Ratey, he discusses how exercise can positively affect how your brain works. He provides studies and personal experiences to support the claims he makes. I always knew exercise would improve your life but never could have imagined how much it can affect your brain health as well. The chapter I thought spoke the most to me was chapter two, Learning: Grow Your Brain Cells.
Most of the older persons in my family have developed dementia at their old age. “Attempting to avoid dementia development, some risk factors taken into account include ones that are unable to be modified: age with age-influencing early-life deleterious conditions, gender, and genetic influence. Additionally, several inborn physical attributes factor in such as lack of early education, environmental stress, and major unexpected circumstances that include accidents and trauma associated with increased risk for dementia. Physical activity has been suggested to weaken the pathophysiology of dementia through constant blood flow to the brain (sustained cerebral perfusion) due to the established relationship between hypertension and dementia. Some examples of physical activity include: dancing, undergoing either usual care or exercise for 60 minutes twice a week. ‘Physical activity’ refers to ‘usual care plus physical activity.’” Although some studies suggest that nutrition-wise antioxidants, fish oil, omega-3 fatty acid, and other supplements help delay the onset of dementia, there has been no absolute prevention from neither physical activity nor nutrition.”
Research has proven that physical activity improves cognitive function and can also improve brain function throughout a lifespan. Moreover, staying physically active has so many benefits as well. For example, doing exercise and fitness activities help build cells and natural pathways to help reduce changes in memory loss or dementia. Also, it has so many health benefits including long-term improvements to the cognitive function as the young adult reaching mid
There is ample evidence to demonstrate that through the normal ageing process alterations to the brain in structure and function are directly related to cognitive changes (Glisky, 2007). With an increasing ageing population strategies for prevention of disease and age related cognitive decline are necessary to improve quality of life and reduce the associated healthcare costs (Australian Government Productivity Commission [AGPC], 2013). Physical exercise is known to be crucial in maintaining physiological health; it can also be used as a means of neuroprotection and assist in modifiable risk factors for improved brain health and subsequent cognitive function. This review will critically analyse current research into the effects of exercise
The articles by Erikson et al., Gatz, Korol et al., and Draganski et al. explore the concept of increased physical activity and/or mental activity having effects on the cognitive function and development or deterioration of the brain as we age. Although I agree that physical exercise is critical in increasing cognitive function because of the health benefits it provides, as well as the increased blood flow and circulation throughout the body, I ultimately believe that a healthy brain is not achieved solely by physical exercise or mental exercise, but both. I think there is a link between physical and mental exercise, and that the combination of these two activities creates higher cognitive functioning of the mind as well as the body. The mind and body come together and meet to make an overall healthy individual.
Running increases blood flow to the brain including the hippocampus, the key area affected by Alzheimer’s disease.
Leonardo Da Vinci was born on April 15th, 1452 in Vinci, Italy, and died May 2nd, 1519 in Amboise, France (Abbagnano). Leonardo Da Vinci once said, “I can carry out a sculpture in marble, bronze, or clay; and in painting I can do everything it is possible to do” (Lester, 63). Leonardo was an exceptionally talented artist and everyone recognized this, including himself. To be the greatest does not just mean being the most well known or to have the best quality of work. To be the greatest artist means to take time and put effort into the work, and appreciate the work. To be the greatest artist means to be influential and to inspiring to other artists who wish to learn the same techniques. Leonardo was exactly this. Leonardo Da Vinci put an exceedingly amount of effort into his work and inspired many artists around him. Although he was often unreliable when it came to his work, Leonardo Da Vinci was the greatest artist in European history because of his intense focus on nature and perspective, his studies of proportions and mathematics, and because of his influence on a number of artists.
The benefits of physical exercise in humans far outweighs the harmful effects associated with exercise. A prescription of physical activity has been known to delay the onset or prevention of many chronic diseases. An improvement in heart function, lower blood pressure and improve functional capacity is noticed after just a few weeks of exercising. Physical activity will also result in an increase of lean muscle mass, promote weight maintenance, increased flexibility, and a generally stronger more fit individual. Conversely, exercise when preformed strenuously or obsessively can counteract such positive effects, bringing up some issues like oxidative stresses, injuries, and
The human brain is constantly changing where many new neurons are formed while others neurons die and new synapses are created while other synapses are removed (Spalding et al., 2013). Some dendrites will withdraw while other dendrites continue branching (Killgore et al., 2013). The processes driving the reshaping of the brain are neuroplasticity and neurogenesis. Neuroplasticity is the brain’s lifelong ability to rewire neural connections to compensate for diseases and injuries or in response to changes in the environment, whereas neurogenesis is the ability to create new neurons and neural connections. This dynamic process of remodeling gray matter is determined mainly by a person’s genetics and can slow down due to age (Denes, 2016). However, recent scientific evidence demonstrates other non-genetic factors that can significantly improve the development of the brain and slow down neurodegeneration (Kays et al., 2012). Physical exercise has always been linked to a person’s physical health, but many recent scientific studies shows physical exercise can also keep a person’s brain sharp. Exercise affects the brain in numerous ways by creating a flourishing environment for brain growth, aiding the release of numerous hormones, and fighting against depression, stress, and anxiety.
There are the studies in human show that doing soft exercise can decrease the risk of cognitive impairment when compared to those people who not doing any kind of exercise (Gregory,Parker,&Thompson,2012), and it suggests those people who always work out usually have a good mental health implicitly (Gregory,Parker,&Thompson,2012). When you regular doing exercise, your brain function will be improved and the communication between neurons will be good working (Gregory,Parker,&Thompson,2012). Doing exercise is suitable for older adults to enhance their physical health and boots their brain function, however, it also causes the pain in some