Specialized Exercise Prescriptions for Mood and Memory
Reference Article Linked Here.
We have long known that specific exercise regimens can shift our physiology in particular ways – tai chi helps balance, high intensity training reduces weight and improves cardiovascular health, strength training increases testosterone and the strength of the muscles worked. This fascinating study demonstrates the correlation between different types of exercise and specific moods and memory skills.
Keep in mind that this study cannot point to a cause and effect relationship. The authors have demonstrated correlations not causations. They used Fitbit reports of weight, exercise, sleep, and nutrition recorded over 365 days and compared them to mood and different memory tasks.
The memory tasks were immediate a delayed recall of a series of word lists, immediate and delayed recall of comprehension after watching a story, immediate and delayed recall of language (Gealic to English) flashcards, and recalling the spatial distribution of objects on a screen. These were intense memory exercises.
Amazingly there were some relationships leading the researchers to envision a day when exercise prescriptions could be written specifically to enhance one or another memory skill or mood. We as humans are so amazing. This study is one of the blow-your-mind studies. They noticed that:
Low-to-moderate fat burn cardio exercise was associated with improved performance on the comprehension test
Non activity was associated with poorer performance on the spatial memory test
Low intensity exercise was associated with less stress and anxiety
Stress was associated with poorer performance on the delayed recall of language flashcards
Higher intensity exercise was associated with higher levels of stress
In the future, we can anticipate that exercise prescriptions will not just be directed toward improving physical health. They will also be directed to specifically improving mood and memory health. Until then, slow and steady wins the race, improves your mood, and helps you remember lists of facts and comprehend stories.
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