Many people know about the physical benefits of exercise but less is known about the effect of exercise on brain health and mood. This area is becoming increasingly bigger in research and there have been some interesting findings come out. A review performed by Basso and Suzuki (2017) found the three most consistent cognitive effects of a single bout of exercise are improved executive functions (i.e. concentration and complex thinking), enhanced mood states, and decreased stress levels. These effects can provide several benefits to daily living which include better performance at work and school, improvements in mental health and mental well-being and protection of heart through decreased stress.
High intensity exercise has also been shown to increase blood flow to the brain and consequently increase Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). Higher levels of BDNF are associated with better memory and function and have also been said to protect against neurodegenerative diseases. More often it is high intensity cardio workouts that seem to produce these benefits.
Just a single workout can reduce stress and improve overall mood. This is believed to be from an increase in several neurotransmitters including – dopamine and serotonin and neuromodulators including beta endorphin and anandamide. These neuromodulators also have been shown to reduce pain sensations, which is why there is growing evidence to suggest that exercise can help in pain management.
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