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Post by AustinsMom on Jan 23, 2004 22:43:17 GMT -5
Does anyone have a good resource...book, website, that talks about the physiological effects of exercise on the brain? I have seen some general references to it, but am interested in reading more specifics. Anyone have person experience with exercise having affects on cognitive skills, attention?
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Post by ohmama on Jan 24, 2004 15:13:12 GMT -5
Thoughts to ponder...
A few years ago scientists were blown away by experiments showing that putting rats on treadmills induced their brain cells to produce a chemical growth factor that spurs growth of dendrites, thereby expanding communication networks. Most remarkable, the neuronal growth happened not only in parts of the brain that control motor function, but also in areas that control memory, reasoning, thinking, and learning, according to the research by Carl Cotman and colleagues at the University of California at Irvine. Exercise also increased blood flow to the brain. Aerobic exercise pumps more blood to the brain's frontal cortex that controls executive functions. Other researchers find that exercise raises levels of freeradical fighters to protect brain cells and that activity of any type improves mood.
"Simply running a few days a week increases brain proteins, and that helps protect nerve cells from injury, cells known to be associated with cognition." Carl Cotman, University of California at Irvine.
(information taken from Your Miracle Brain by Jean Carper)
I know for a fact that when my boys rollerskate, swim, basketball, etc. they are like different children. It is an amazing transformation that lasts for days. They stop fighting with each other, smile more and seem to have self confidence and motivation as if they could conquer the world. Probably because of all those endorphins that are being released. Needless to say I try to keep this in force and find they are helping me to improve my mood and energy level too. It's more fun if you do it as a family.
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Post by HooDunnit on Jan 24, 2004 15:35:46 GMT -5
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Post by AustinsMom on Jan 24, 2004 20:46:14 GMT -5
Thanks to both of you for your responses. ohmama, I can always count on you to have a research citation to answer my questions. Just wondering how with all you have to do with your boys you have time to keep up on everything so well!! And Hoodunit, I ordered the book. Love the buy used option on Amazon. I'm sure it will be worth the $4 plus shipping. Thanks again.
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Post by ohmama on Jan 24, 2004 21:27:29 GMT -5
Ha Ha, this board is my therapy. I'm a book freak, just can't seem to stop reading. So many books and so little time.
You may want to get the book YOUR MIRACLE BRAIN by Jean Carper. It has amazing up to date information on everything to do with the brain, nutrition, exercise, omega 3, amino acids, etc.
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Post by HooDunnit on Jan 28, 2004 16:04:21 GMT -5
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Post by AustinsMom on Jan 31, 2004 22:49:25 GMT -5
Hoodunit, I got the Nature's Ritalin book today and have read the first 2 chapters. It seems like it is going to be an interesting read. Have you used a running or exercise program with your son, or just encouraged active pursuits? Just curious what approach you have used, and do you see a specific, consistent response to exercise? From other posts, it sounds like your ds is an Xgames kinda kid. Mine is only 8, but has been rollerblading on halfpipes since he was 5. And nothing is more fascinating to him than watching xtreme sports on TV.
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Post by AustinsMom on Feb 1, 2004 18:14:20 GMT -5
An extension of this exercise question: When your child is exercising, do you notice a tendency for them to get angry more quickly, like a shorter fuse? In the heat of a competitive moment--which for my ds can occur just while shooting baskets for fun--he reacts very quickly with anger. So I'm not disputing that the short term effects are calming down, but for us that seems to occur when the exercise is over. But is there something in the brain chemistry reactions that can actually make them more likely to become angry during the exercise or do I just have a very competitive son?
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