Exercise has been shown to stimulate brain-boosting molecules when muscles are active, according to a recent study. Researchers found that the same nerves that signal muscles to move can also send neurotrophic factors into the brain. Some evidence suggests that exercise can reverse or delay cognitive decline associated with aging, but experts recommend allowing for variations among individuals to understand how physical activity can affect brain health. Exercise plays a crucial role in brain health by triggering molecules involved in cognitive function to be released by muscles, which can enhance brain function.
The study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, demonstrated that when nerves that stimulate muscles are activated, they also send signals to the brain by secreting bioactive molecules and nanoparticles. This highlights the importance of maintaining musculoskeletal health not only for cardiovascular health or mobility but also to counteract neurological degeneration. Researchers found that maintaining neuronal innervation is crucial for muscles to produce beneficial biological factors for the brain. Regular muscle contractions not only secrete these factors but also help sustain the necessary innervation for nerves to continue signaling muscles and regulating the release of neurotrophic factors into the brain.
While the study did not involve observing actual exercise in people, it focused on muscle models to understand the interaction between muscle and brain health. Previous studies have shown correlations between the size of the hippocampus and regular physical activity, as well as improvements in cognitive function with exercise. Research has proven that regular exercise can enhance cognitive function, with individuals who engage in aerobic exercises tending to have larger hippocampi and improved performance on spatial memory tests. However, this study aimed to explore how neurons connected to muscles influence communication pathways between muscles and the brain.
Senior brain health coach Ryan Glatt noted that it takes time to fully understand the effects of exercise on the brain and that future studies involving human participants should consider variables such as the type, intensity, and frequency of exercise, as well as individual differences in age and health status. Regular exercise has significant benefits for brain health, with aerobic exercises known to improve cardiovascular health and cognitive function. Activities that combine physical and cognitive demands, such as dance and team sports, may offer additional benefits due to their requirements for coordination, rhythm, and executive functions. Physical activity can potentially reverse or delay cognitive decline associated with aging by helping maintain neuromuscular junctions between nerves and muscles.
A sedentary lifestyle with low levels of physical activity can be associated with a higher risk of cognitive decline. However, there are variations among individuals due to genetics, lifestyle choices, and environmental factors. While exercise is recognized as a supportive intervention for individuals with compromised cognitive functions, such as age-related declines or Alzheimer’s disease, its ability to reverse existing cognitive impairment is inconclusive. Most studies suggest that exercise can slow the rate of decline and improve overall brain health, but reversing cognitive deficits requires more research. Exercise can enhance blood flow to the brain, reduce inflammation, and stimulate the release of growth factors, all of which contribute to maintaining or improving cognitive function.
