Tuesday 26 November 2013

Exercise,While, Learning. Google It.

I Googled these three words together:

http://www.google.com/webhp?nord=1#nord=1&q=learning+while+exercising

It is undeniable that exercise benefits the body and brain.  Strong research in the area of neuroplasticity is finding that exercise promotes neurogenesis and synaptic connections, particularly in the hippocampus, the region of the brain responsible for learning.
Next focusing on the hippocampus, a brain structure known to be important in learning and memory, the researchers determined that organ's volume was on average 12 percent larger relative to brain size in the children with the greatest aerobic capacity. Previous studies in older adults and in animals have shown that exercise can increase the size of the hippocampus. A bigger hippocampus is associated with better performance on spatial reasoning and other cognitive tasks.
"Study: fit children think better." Running & FitNews May-June 2011. Health Reference Center Academic. Web. 26 Nov. 2013.


Research has also indicated that exercising while learning is has huge benefits for cognitive processes and memory.
Hillman et al. (2009) conducted a study where students exercised for 20 minutes on a treadmill before being assessed in reading, spelling, and math. Students performed better after the exercise, especially in the area of reading comprehension. In a study involving overweight children, exercising 20–40 minutes showed an improvement in the areas of decision-making and math (Baker and Shepard 2007).
http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.library.ubc.ca/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ehh&AN=57154716&site=ehost-live&scope=site

It is true that exercise is good for all of us.  Much of the learning that infants are doing is mostly physical.  Research is strong in using exercise as a preventative measure to combat the onset of Alzheimer's  disease.  Individuals post concussion are prescribed bilateral movement and activities to 'repair' the effects of the injury.

Children with neurodevelopmental disabilities are NO different from developing infants, aging octogenarians, or neurotypical peers.

Exercise is good for your brain.

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