Now we know how sport improves brain function

It has long been known that sport is capable of not onlystrengthen physical health, but also improve brain function. But how does this happen? It can be assumed that the whole thing is in metabolism, as the heart and lungs begin to work more intensively, the brain receives more oxygen and necessary substances. However, as a recent study showed, there is another mechanism that contributes to the emergence of new neurons. This is especially true of the hippocampus, that is, the part of the brain that is responsible for memory and the ability of a person to learn. The results of this study may explain why sport slows down the brain aging process in older people and improves their cognitive abilities.

Scientists have found out why sport improves human cognitive functions

Why exercise affects the brain

At the time of muscle contraction, cells are ejected intoblood various chemical compounds, or chemical signals. This happens every time we exercise. With the blood, these compounds are carried throughout the body, including entering the brain.

In a recent study, a group of scientistsfocused on the effect of chemical signals on the hippocampus. To do this, the researchers artificially grew muscle cells in the laboratory. When the colony of cells matured, it began to contract on its own and produce chemicals like muscles in the body.

Muscles release chemical signals during exercise

The scientists then combined this cell culture withanother artificially grown colony, consisting of cells of hippocampal neurons, as well as auxiliary cells called astrocytes. At the same time, they carefully observed what would happen to neurons, and also recorded their electrical activity using multi-electrode arrays.

The results surprised the researchers themselves.Chemical signals released by contracting muscle cells triggered stronger and more frequent electrical signals from hippocampal neurons. According to scientists, this behavior of neurons is a sign of their good health and active growth. A few days later, neurons began to form a more mature network and mimic the work of neurons in the brain. This is evidenced by the synchronism of electrical signals.

How exercise improves brain function

Scientists have found that brain function is affectedchemical signals of muscle cells. But how do these signals make neurons work better and form new networks? To answer this question, scientists began to observe astrocytes, that is, cells that are the first to receive chemical signals even before they begin to affect neurons.

Brain neurons (yellow) surrounded by astrocytes (green)

When Researchers removed astrocytes fromcell cultures, this caused the electrons to generate even more electrical signals. Without astrocytes, the growth of neurons did not stop. According to the researchers, their activity was so high that they became uncontrollable. This is reported in a study published in the journal Neuroscience.

From this, the researchers concluded that astrocytesnormalize the activity of neurons and prevent their increased excitability. In other words, they provide a balanced work of neurons that ensures the normal functioning of the brain. Chemical signals from muscles cause astrocytes to decrease their activity. In some situations this may be useful. However, the effect of chemical signals on astrocytes is not the only mechanism by which physical activity has a positive effect on the brain. They are also able to eliminate inflammation thanks to the secreted hormone irisin.

Understanding how sport affects brain functioncould lead to a new effective treatment for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. In addition, the data obtained may help improve the functioning of the brain of people in old age.

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I must say that not only physical activityhave a positive effect on the brain. Previously, a number of other studies have shown that playing musical instruments can prolong his youth. And according to a recent study, even listening to music has a positive effect on brain function. True, for this you need to listen to it thoughtfully, analyzing what you heard, which we talked about earlier.