December 26, 2016

UA Study: Running Benefits Your Body - And Your Brain

Cross country runners may reduce chances of neurodegenerative diseases.

Running Shoes

A study from the University of Arizona shows the benefits of running are not just physical: Going for a jog is good for your brain, too.

UA Professor of Psychology Gene Alexander and his research partner looked at the brain functions of cross country runners ages 18-25, as they were lying in an MRI machine, and compared that with brain activity in non-runners of the same age group.

"And what we were able to find is that there were differences," Alexander said, "including in areas of the brain like the frontal cortex of the cross country runners that showed greater functional connectivity compared to our comparison group."

Alexander said the parts of the brain that are more connected in runners are the areas responsible for tasks such as planning, multitasking and problem solving.

"The kinds of things that people start to have some difficulty with as they age," he said. "So we think there are some implications for how this kind of exercise early in life may be helpful not only in young adults but maybe even as people age."

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