Most of us have forgotten where we put our phones or car keys or what we ate for dinner last night. We’ve walked into a room and wondered why we even walked in there in the first place. A sharper memory helps us retain the information we’ve learned and remember what’s important. We’re always hearing about this superfood or this special drink or supplement that can boost memory, and we wonder if there’s any merit to many of these claims. 

With all the benefits of exercise, from lowering blood pressure to perking up your mood, researchers wanted to explore if exercise could boost memory and how long these benefits last. If working out is effective, how many hours or days do those short-term cognitive benefits last? Does working out the day before improve your memory the following day? Let’s look at the new research.

The study

In a small study published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, researchers analyzed data from 76 adults. Participants were aged 50 to 83. Over eight days, participants took daily cognitive tests and wore activity trackers.

The results

Researchers revealed that participants who engaged in more moderate to vigorous physical activity performed better in memory tests the following day. The adults who had better scores on the memory tests:

Moderate activity can include brisk walking, cycling, or jogging. Participants who spent more time being sedentary performed worse on the tests.

Previous research

This isn’t the first study to associate exercise with a better memory, and it certainly won’t be the last. Research has shown that moving your muscles enhances your neuronal activity, which refers to the chemical and electrical signals generated and transmitted by neurons in your brain. Previous studies found that people had better results on memory tests in the hours following exercise, but researchers weren’t sure how long these positive effects stick around.

Interestingly, researchers in one study determined that high-intensity interval training or HIIT and cycling were the types of exercise most likely to enhance memory, executive function, attention, and information processing.

Why does exercise improve recollection and cognition?

Researchers and experts believe exercise can improve memory and cognition by increasing blood flow and stimulation of neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters help transmit messages between nerve cells to assist memory and thinking. Exercise can also prompt the hippocampus to form new neurons. The hippocampus in your brain plays a big role in your learning and recollection. 

Neuroplasticity of the brain

Research highlights that exercise promotes neuroplasticity in the brain. Neuroplasticity refers to your brain’s ability to adapt and form synaptic connections, particularly in response to learning, experience, or after an injury.

The takeaway

Spending less time sitting and getting a minimum of 6 hours of sleep every night is beneficial for your mental faculties and overall health.  If you get a good workout in the day before, your mind and memory could be sharper the following day. It turns out that working out really could enhance your memory, at least for the next 24 hours, which is worth keeping in mind if you have a big presentation or test coming up. The research is mounting.

Building muscle may as well be building a mental fortitude as a study reveals that muscle mass strength lowers depression risk.

Hit the gym, and lift to uplift your mood. Getting shredded not only makes you physically stronger but also mentally stronger as well. It significantly reduces the risk of depression. A study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders revealed that stronger grip strength and higher muscle mass help to reduce the risk of depression. It indicates how physical strength is related to mental resilience.

ALSO READ: Want to lose fat and build muscle? Woman who lost 4 kg in a month shares best ‘fat loss’ exercise routine

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Connection between getting muscular and lowered depression

There’s an inverse correlation between muscle strength and depression. Muscle mass and grip strength can essentially predict depression risk as per the study. Led by Linjie Qiu of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Science, the researchers examined over 4,800 adults, assessing their muscle mass and depressive symptoms.

The findings showed how muscle mass and grip strength could predict the risk of depression. The depression risk dropped with higher muscular strength. Those participants who had higher muscle mass and grip strength were significantly less likely to experience depression. For every 5 kg increase in grip strength, the likelihood of depression dropped by 5.7% Similarly, a 1 kg increase in muscle mass reduced the risk by 5.5%.

ALSO READ: 10 exercises to build muscle without weights or any gym equipment

Who benefits the most

So, working out and getting muscle is mentally healthy as it keeps the mood brightened, lowering depression risk. This effect of building muscles and seeing improvements in mood is even more pronounced for people aged 40 to 59 as ageing after 30 sees a natural decline in muscle mass. Additionally, the connection between higher muscle mass and lowered depression was notably stronger among men and individuals with a healthy body mass index.

It’s a misconception to assume building muscle is solely for physical attraction or flexing in the mirror. This study shed light on one of the many benefits of gaining muscle. It safeguards mental wellbeing by reducing depression risk.

ALSO READ: Do you love processed foods? Shocking study reveals what it does to our muscles

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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.

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