Running helps increase the number of neurons in the hippocampus

A team of scientists from Finland proved that aerobic exercises like running can increase the number of neurons in the hippocampus, the part of the brain that is responsible for transferring data from short-term memory to long-term memory. Scientists tried to find out what exactly will affect neurogenesis to a greater extent - highly intensive interval training or anaerobic exercise.



Scientists from the University of Jyväskylä, Finland, studied the impactrunning, high-intensity interval training and resistance exercises on the formation of new neurons in the hippocampus of adult male rats. Sprague-Dawley rats, as well as genetically modified animals with high or low response to aerobic exercise, were used for the experiment. Training periods lasted from six to eight weeks, during which half of the control group was under normal conditions in home cells.

As a result, the highest rate of the number of new neurons in the hippocampus was found in rats that ran long distances, having a predisposition to respond to aerobic exercises. Compared with the control group, which at that time lived a normal life, runner rats had 2-3 times more neurons in this part of the brain by the end of the experiment. Scores from the other two types of exercises were low, from which scientists concluded: only aerobic exercises can greatly increase the number of neurons in the hippocampus of adult animals.

The hippocampus is involved in memory consolidation - a transition from short-term to long-term memory. An increase in the number of neurons in this part of the brain, including in humans, will have a positive effect on learning opportunities.

This is further evidence thatRunning is good for IT people .