Exercising outdoors 'protects the brain'
20/10/2009 Exercising protects special cells in monkeys' brains, according to a new study in the US.
At the Society for Neuroscience's annual meeting this week, evidence was presented which showed that exercise is good for the brain.
According to Carl Cotman, a brain expert from the University of California, there has been a growing school of thought which shows that physical activity at a certain level impacts the brain in a profound way, reports Science News.
During the new study, six adult female rhesus monkeys were given treadmills built for humans to run on over a period of three months.
Jogging had a protective effect for the brain, although slightly weaker than the impact of running, suggesting that fitting in some time for exercising outdoors could have numerous benefits.
Judy Cameron of the University of Pittsburgh, who led the research, said that it was really good news.
She said: "It means that any little bit more activity you can do is positive for your brain."
Ms Cameron added that exercise appeared to be very neuroprotective.
Earlier this month, former tennis world number one Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario told attendants at a breast cancer event that exercising can reduce the risk of breast cancer.
At the Society for Neuroscience's annual meeting this week, evidence was presented which showed that exercise is good for the brain.
According to Carl Cotman, a brain expert from the University of California, there has been a growing school of thought which shows that physical activity at a certain level impacts the brain in a profound way, reports Science News.
During the new study, six adult female rhesus monkeys were given treadmills built for humans to run on over a period of three months.
Jogging had a protective effect for the brain, although slightly weaker than the impact of running, suggesting that fitting in some time for exercising outdoors could have numerous benefits.
Judy Cameron of the University of Pittsburgh, who led the research, said that it was really good news.
She said: "It means that any little bit more activity you can do is positive for your brain."
Ms Cameron added that exercise appeared to be very neuroprotective.
Earlier this month, former tennis world number one Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario told attendants at a breast cancer event that exercising can reduce the risk of breast cancer.
