Posted on 05/17/2022 10:04:52 AM PDT by ConservativeMind
Exercise increases levels of a chemical involved in brain cell growth, which bolsters the release of the "feel good" hormone dopamine, a new study shows. Dopamine is known to play a key role in movement, motivation, and learning.
Experts have long understood that regular running raises dopamine activity in the brain and may protect nerve cells from damage. In addition, past research has tied exercise-driven boosts in the dopamine-triggering chemical called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and in dopamine levels to improvements in learning and memory.
Researchers showed that mice running on a wheel for 30 days had a 40% increase in dopamine release in the dorsal stratium, the part of the brain involved in movement, compared to levels in mice that did not exercise. The runners also showed a nearly 60% increase in BDNF levels compared to their non-running counterparts. Notably, the increase in dopamine release remained elevated even after a week of rest. Additionally, when BDNF levels were artificially reduced, running did not lead to additional dopamine release.
"Our findings suggest that BDNF plays a key role in the long-lasting changes that occur in the brain as a result of running," says Guendalina Bastioli, Ph.D. "Not only do these results help explain why exercise makes you move, think, and feel better, they also show that these benefits continue even if you do not work out every day," adds Bastioli.
The study authors note that patients with Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders are often treated with drugs that mimic dopamine's effects on motor neurons. However, the mechanism behind dopamine's role in this protective benefit of exercise had not been thoroughly explored.
"Our results help us understand why exercise alleviates the symptoms of Parkinson's disease, as well as those of neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression," says Margaret Rice, Ph.D.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
That’s good. Runners will have healthy brains during their hip and knee replacement recovery.
ping
Any exercise will do. But, given your comment, it might be too late for you.;-)
The dopamine was really pumping during my sciatica attacks.
Actually, I exercise a lot. What I don’t do, is pound my feet against concrete and asphalt over and over.
Amen. Brisk walking good. Running not.
Yeah why study only running? Low impact exercise like swimming or cycling are just as vigorous without the associated damage to your ability to walk later on.
There’s always exceptions, I’m sure we’ve all seen geezers running around, but body weight obviously has a lot to do with it, as older people still running are universally skinny like concentration camp occupants.
They should put that in a drink. Some of us are too old to job but need help.
This is a study done with mice.
High-impact exercise strengthens bones, doesn’t it?
You can also get that from strength training, without the repetitive impacts.
“That’s good. Runners will have healthy brains during their hip and knee replacement recovery.“
And Karen enters the chat!
Actually that’s a falsehood repeated by those who don’t understand runners.
Actually, I tend to think of skinny little runners as Karens that can barely bench press their own body weight. To each his own.
Recently (at age 73), I took it up again but using a new (old) method, the Maffetone Method.
I now run very slowly--actually run/walk--in the aerobic zone making sure I midfoot strike. I'm very slow but it feels wonderful and I don't have any problems...yet.
The damage to feet and knees comes from heel strike, which bangs the feet hard on the pavement or trail, causing the ankles to swivel and sending schock waves to your knees.
Midfoot and forefoot strike is called natural running and is so easy on legs, knees, and feet. Obviously, if something starts to hurt...stop for a few days.
I tried running every day but that doesn't work...legs got too tired. I now run 4 miles per run (walking only a little) 3 or 4 times a week. I don't mind that I am VERY slow because my feet and legs feel great.
I still bike on alternate days and have found that my running has even improved my biking (speed and vigor up).
Deadlifts for the win.
And leg presses.
“Actually, I tend to think of skinny little runners as Karens that can barely bench press their own body weight. To each his own.“
No we actually value having control as much as possible of our own health.
We don’t want doctors sticking pills and needles into us.
The essence of freedom is self determination of your own health, not government taking care of you.
Then tell me why most runners are so damn preachy about it if you believe in determination of your own health?
“Then tell me why most runners are so damn preachy about it if you believe in determination of your own health?“
Yes some of us do get a bit that way at times.
Likely because we see the immense benefits of fitness and are eager to share with others.
I run extremely slow but I move. My genetics aren’t in my favor.
I feel literally if I don’t keep moving I will not live a long life .
So yes it’s pretty important to me.
Our bodies were not created to be sedentary.
But our culture is awash in calories and ways to sit around and not move .
No sabertooth tigers chasing us, only liberals and they usually do it online .
So yes we all need to move.
Walking is great, biking is good
Movement in any way is good
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