BRIEF, INTENSE WORKOUTS BOOST MEMORY
An intense workout for
as little as 20 minutes can enhance episodic or long term memory about previous
events by about 10 percent in healthy young adults, say researchers.
Many existing studies
have shown that long aerobic exercises like running can boost memory but the
present study had participants lift weights just once every two days before
testing them.
“Even without doing
expensive MRI scans, our results give us an idea of what areas of the brain
might be supporting these exercise-induced memory benefits,” said Audrey
Duarte, an associate professor from the Georgia Institute of Technology’ school
of psychology in the US.
For the study, the
team showed 90 photos to the participants on a computer screen before they
started stretching their legs.
The participants
returned to the lab 48 hours later and saw a series of 180 pictures – the 90
originals were mixed in with 90 new photos.
Those who exercised
remembered about 60 percent of the photos.
“Our study indicates
that people do not have to dedicate large amounts of time to give their brain a
boost,” said Lisa Weinberg, a Georgia Tech graduate student who led the
project.
Although the study
used weight exercises, resistance activities such as squats or knee bends would
likely produce the same results, noted Weinberg.
“The findings are
encouraging because they are consistent with rodent literature that pinpoints
exactly the parts of the brain that play a role in memory benefits caused by
exercise,” concluded Lisa Weinberg.
The study appeared in
the journal Acta Psychologica.
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