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New Research: Effects of Exercise on the Brain Surprising!

The Effects of Sports on Brain Health

By Batuhan KocalarPublished 3 years ago 3 min read

The benefits of sports for human health do not end with counting. However, studies conducted in recent years reveal that sports are not only directly related to health, but also to mental health. Therefore, doing sports is also extremely important for brain health.

Structures for its effects on brain health show that doing sports helps regenerate neurons and brain cells in the brain. Therefore, doing sports regularly is extremely beneficial for brain health. Hormones such as endorphins, dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine released in the organs while doing sports also activate the happiness and pleasure centers in the brain. And this is the effects of sports on personal mental health.

The effects of sports on the brain are not limited to this. Exercising also controls the level of the stress hormone cortisol in the brain. Cortisol can have a harmful persistence in the long-lived brain and lead to mental health problems caused by chronic stress.

As a result, doing sports has important benefits for brain health. By exercising regularly, you can have many benefits such as renewing the neurons and tissues in the brain, activating the centers of happiness and pleasure, and increasing the level of the stress hormone cortisol. Therefore, making fitness a part of your life is extremely ingraining, both for your inner and mental systems.

Sports and Brain Plasticity

One of the most important effects of sports on the brain is the increase in brain plasticity. Brain plasticity refers to the reshaping of neurons and synapses in the brain, including the formation of new synapses. Sports can help regenerate neurons and strengthen synapses, which can lead to an increase in cognitive functions such as learning, memory, and focus.

Reduction of Stress Hormone Cortisol

Sports also reduce the level of stress hormone cortisol. Chronic stress can cause an increase in cortisol, which can have harmful effects on the brain. By reducing cortisol levels through exercise, sports can help prevent mental health problems caused by stress.

Increase of Happiness Hormones

During exercise, endorphins, dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine and other hormones are released, which activate the pleasure and reward centers in the brain. This increases the effects of sports on a person's mental health. As mentioned earlier, the effects of sports on the brain are not limited to physical health, but are also directly related to mental health.

Reduction of Depression and Anxiety Disorders

Another important benefit of sports is the reduction of depression and anxiety disorders. Studies have shown that people who regularly exercise experience a significant reduction in symptoms of depression and anxiety. Therefore, sports can be extremely beneficial for people with psychological problems.

In conclusion, sports have many benefits for brain health. By increasing brain plasticity, sports can help improve learning, memory, and focus. By reducing cortisol levels and increasing the release of pleasure and reward hormones, sports can enhance a person's mental health. Finally, by reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety, sports can also have a positive effect on a person's psychological well-being.

Sports can also help in reducing the risk of cognitive decline and dementia in older adults. A study conducted by the University of Edinburgh found that older adults who engaged in regular physical activity had larger brain volumes and better cognitive functions than those who did not exercise regularly.

Furthermore, sports can also help in improving sleep quality, which is crucial for brain health. Exercise helps regulate the body's circadian rhythm, which is responsible for controlling the sleep-wake cycle. By improving sleep quality, sports can improve cognitive functions and reduce the risk of mental health problems.

It's important to note that the benefits of sports on brain health are not limited to high-intensity activities such as running or weightlifting. Even low-intensity activities such as walking or gardening can have positive effects on the brain.

In summary, sports have numerous positive effects on brain health, including increased brain plasticity, reduced stress hormone levels, increased release of happiness hormones, reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety, reduced risk of cognitive decline and dementia in older adults, and improved sleep quality. Therefore, incorporating regular physical activity into daily routines can be beneficial for both physical and mental health.

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About the Creator

Batuhan Kocalar

I am a ship captain. I am interested in healthy life, fitness and basketball as a hobby.

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