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Moment 165: This Exercise Enhances Mood, Memory & Concentration: David Raichlen

Jun 7, 2024

David Raichlen, a leading professor of evolutionary biology, reveals how different exercises affect brain health. He explains that while all exercise is good, combining physical activity with cognitive challenges offers the best neurological benefits. Outdoor activities like hiking and orienteering not only improve mood but enhance cognitive functions like memory and decision-making. Raichlen underscores the evolutionary link between our physical movement and brain development, urging listeners to choose diverse routes in nature over monotonous treadmill sessions.

10:18

Episode guests

David Raichlen

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Quick takeaways

Different types of exercise offer unique benefits to the brain, combining physical and cognitive challenges can enhance cognitive performance significantly.

Deep dives

Different Types of Exercise and Brain Benefits

Various forms of exercise, such as resistance training and endurance activities, offer benefits to the brain through distinct pathways. Research indicates that combining cognitive challenges with physical activities, like orienteering, can enhance cognitive performance significantly. A study comparing orienteering, hiking, and a control group showed superior cognitive test results in the orienteering group, suggesting the value of engaging in activities that integrate mental and physical challenges.

Active Body, Active Mind: The Power of Exercise in Enhancing Brain Health

00:56

Intro

2min

The Brain-Boosting Power of Combined Physical and Cognitive Challenges

3min

Enhancing Brain Health Through Physical Activity and Cognitive Challenges

2min

The Benefits of Outdoor Exercise on Mood and Cognition

3min

In this moment, leading professor of evolutionary biology, David Raichlen discusses how to boost the brain benefits that come from exercise. Most people know that exercise can improve cognitive function, but don’t realise that different sort of exercise, like cardio or strength training, can provide different types of neurological benefits. David says that whilst all exercise is beneficial to the brain, research shows that the best sort of physical activity is a combination of physical and cognitive challenges. This helps the brain function as it copies how humans evolved to find food and survive. So this could mean that the next time you go for a run, choose the great outdoors over the treadmill and try different routes you haven’t taken before.

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David:

https://www.raichlen.arizona.edu

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