On November 21st, 2013 Art Kramer presented the
effects that physical activity has on the brain. He began his presentation by discussing two
types of knowledge. Fluid knowledge is greatly portrayed in our working memory
while crystalized knowledge involves recalling information from our long-term
memory. Art Kramer introduced the
audience to Olga Kotelko who did not start exercising till her mid seventies. One
study that Kramer talked about assessed the effects of exercise. Animals either had access to a running wheel
or they didn’t. They were measured using
electrophysiology and histology. The results showed an increase in
neurotrophins, enhanced synaptogenesis, and enhanced angiogenesis. From these
results we could see that exercise does positively influence cognition. Another study Art Kramer mentioned was one
about walking helping cognition. The
study included three hundred forty nine healthy women that were fifty-five or above. Although this study as well as the other
studies mentioned by Kramer was correlational they all seemed to show signs
that physical activity does have an effect on cognition. Kramer mentioned “ People get hurt because
they don’t lift weights and tend to fall, break their hips and end up in
nursing homes”. Kramer showed us a clip that studied how participant’s multi
task in the real world. This study
pointed out that the ones to make better multi tasking decisions were those who
were more fit. His PowerPoint addressed “fitness
intervention can increase the brain volumes that normally decline with age”.(Kramer)
Overall everyone can benefit massively from exercising. You are not only helping your body but also
your brain.
Sources:
Kramer, Art. “Taking a Hike: Train your Body, Enhance your Mind
and Brain.” PowerPoint presentation. Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL. 21
Nov 2013
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