The Impact of Exercise on Brain Health

Exercise, including resistance training and aerobic exercise, is crucial for brain health. Aerobic training, such as running or cycling, can increase the size of the hippocampus, a brain region important for memory. Additionally, aerobic exercises release growth factors like BDNF, which promote the growth of new neurons. Resistance training enhances the release of over 600 different myokines, muscle-based proteins that influence brain function structurally and functionally. Resistance training can also improve blood flow to the brain, delivering oxygen and nutrients, while building muscle mass in the legs can significantly benefit brain vascular function.