More and more research is being released each year that reveals that physical exercise is beneficial for not just our physical health. Research shows that staying active also helps us psychologically and intellectually.
In a study printed in Acta Psychologica, experts set out to find what influence, if any, strength training workouts have on someone's short term memory. So, they invited a group of participants to look at pictures (some positive, some neutral, and some negative) before doing just one exercise—a one-leg knee extension/flexion resistance training movement.
Two days after that, they asked each person to have a look at a second group of photos to see which ones they were able to recollect viewing previously. They also analyzed the individual's physiological response to the activity by looking at some specific hormones, their heart rate, and blood pressure.
Experts discovered that the participants who did the knee extension/flexion exercise "had higher overall recognition accuracy than the group that did not exercise," and that was after only a single session. Picture how fantastic your memory could become if you engaged in resistance or strength training as part of a routine!
If you're new to resistance training, then you would probably benefit from hiring a personal trainer to create a workout for your particular fitness level and goals. Keeping proper form and carrying out the exercises properly is key to getting in shape without hurting yourself, and a trainer can show you how to make that happen.
Ultimately, you want to be sure you perform the exercises in a slow and regulated fashion. Additionally, don't work the same muscle group two days in a row as it needs one to two days to recover after a good workout.
Aerobic exercise has also been related to improved memory recall, so making a well-balanced workout routine is as important to your mental health as it is to your physical conditioning. Incorporate both and regular chiropractic appointments, in your life and you'll be in good shape inside and out.
If you would like to optimize your health, visit our Nashville, TN office or give us a call at (615) 331-7040.
Weinberg L, Hasni A, Shinohara M, Duarte A. A single bout of resistance exercise can enhance episodic memory performance. Acta Psychologica 2014;153:13-9.
Dr. Jim Sweeney & Dr. Jon Sweeney, your Nashville Chiropractors and Palmer College of Chiropractic West graduates, provide quality chiropractic care to patients in Nashville, TN. If you suffer from back pain, neck pain, headache, sciatica or have been in an auto collision, Sweeney Chiropractic can get you back on the road to health.
