YOU CAN STICK TO IT.
Health & Fitness Illustration Nurfarahin Kamarudin
Brain Booster THIS MONTH, FIREFLYZ’S RESIDENT FITNESS GURU KEVIN ZAHRI TEAMS UP WITH DR MUZAIMI MUSTAPHA, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF MEDICAL NEUROSCIENCE AT UNIVERSITI SAINS MALAYSIA, TO TALK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF EXERCISE AND HOW IT’S LINKED TO BRAIN HEALTH.
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elcome back, readers! After a whole month of Eid feasting, it’s time to get back on track with your diet regime and start working out to shed the extra pounds you’ve gained over the festive season. Since I started this column in January 2019, I’ve talked a lot on exercise and nutrition, but did you know that physical activity helps to improve brain health as well? Here are some facts on how exercise can influence brain health, and reasons why you should work out regularly to achieve balance in both body and mind.
EXERC
ISE
It Fuels The Brain
The adult brain consumes an estimated 20 percent of the body’s daily energy, despite taking up only two percent of the body mass. In fast growing children, this demand can reach up to 30 percent. If the brain is to serve you well, you will not want to compromise on providing it with an uninterrupted blood supply and the nutrients it needs. For blood supply to reach the brain efficiently, a healthy heart function and good blood circulation is key. Physical activity and regular exercise ensure this.
It Is Scientifically Proven
Evidence from research in brain science on both animals and humans over the past two decades has shown that physical activity helps your brain to function better. In fact, it sharpens certain brain functions, particularly those related to thinking, planning and decision-making. In studies using laboratory mice, those subjected to regular physical activity appear smarter at distinguishing novel objects from ones they have seen before, compared to mice that are sedentary. When forced to swim, the same exercising mice somehow found a way to keep their face afloat and were not unduly stressed out in the water. Even when a rescue platform was concealed from sight, the exercising mice were able to land on the platform faster than the sedentary ones.
A Healthy Body Is A Healthy Mind
Being in tiptop shape both mentally and physically can help to improve one’s self esteem. Exercise, especially those done in common areas or team sports, offers an opportunity for you to meet new people and socialise. Peer support is important, as it not only helps to motivate participants to exercise better, but also provides a sense of belonging to a team.
July 2019
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19/06/2019 4:41 PM