If you seem to be forgetting a lot of things lately and want to improve your memory, go for a morning jog as scientists would suggest.
According to a study conducted by the University of Arizona, going for a morning can jog can significantly help when it comes to making you alert during the day, because running has been found to activate the part of the brain that is responsible for decision-making and planning. This is the same part of the brain that gets stimulated when a person plays a musical instrument.
The researchers conducted the study among 11 male runners aged between 18 and 25 and another 11 male participants who said that they did not have much of physical activities in the last year. Men volunteers were chosen because it could be more difficult to study women as they might be experiencing the effects of their menstrual cycles.
The results of the study have shown that the brains of the runners have an increased level of activity in the parts used for higher level of thought, while those who were inactive were not seen with the same results.
The increase in brain activity and connectivity is known to enhance a person's memory and focus.
"To me, this suggests that running may not be such a simple activity after all," said Professor Gene Alexander, who co-led the study.
"It requires complex navigational skills plus an ability to plan, monitor and respond to the environment, juggle memories of past runs, and also continue with all of the motor activities of running, which are very complicated."
As of now, it is not yet proven if running is the only activity that can produce similar results to human brain because other endurance sports might also have the same effects but further studies may be necessary.
