THIS WEEK’S THEME:   3 ARTICLES ON HOW EXERCISE AFFECTS THE BRAIN

ARTICLE #1

TITLE

How Weight Training Changes the Brain

DESCRIPTION

This is a very interesting article regarding a study done in rats that demonstrated how weight training had beneficial physiological effects on their brains.  “Weight training may have benefits for brain health, at least in rats. When rats lift weights, they gain strength and also change the cellular environment inside their brains, improving their ability to think, according to a notable new study of resistance training, rodents and the workings of their minds.  The study finds that weight training, accomplished in rodents with ladders and tiny, taped-on weights, can reduce or even reverse aspects of age-related memory loss. The finding may have important brain-health implications for those of us who are not literal gym rats.”

How to use this article:   This article can be used in at least two ways.  First, it can be used in conjunction with the neuroscience textbook chapters to demonstrate the types of research done today on brain development.  Second, the article discusses HOW the research was completed and would allow for a discussion of Psychology as a Science and provides for how studies are done in the field.

SOURCE

New York Times, July 24, 2019, by Gretchen Reynolds

LINK TO RESOURCE

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/24/well/move/how-weight-training-changes-the-brain.html

(Tiny URL)  https://tinyurl.com/y63g9o2t

——————————–

ARTICLE #2

TITLE

What Type of Exercise Is Best for the Brain?

DESCRIPTION

This is a great article to use with textbook chapters on later adulthood development as well as sections on issues of cognitive decline, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease.  The article summarizes research from exercise studies, and concludes with the listing the positive effects on the brain and nervous system.  “Exercise likely improves brain health through a variety of ways. It makes the heart beat faster, which increases blood flow to the brain. This blood delivers oxygen—a good thing, since the brain is the biggest consumer of oxygen in the body. Physical activity also increases levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is known to help repair and protect brain cells from degeneration as well as help grow new brain cells and neurons, says Okonkwo {the researcher}.”

SOURCE

Time, July 5, 2019, by Alexandra Sifferlin

LINK TO RESOURCE

https://time.com/4841790/exercise-brain/

(Tiny URL)  https://tinyurl.com/y3zx38en

——————————–

ARTICLE #3

TITLE

The brain-changing benefits of exercise

DESCRIPTION

This is a wonderful 14 minute Ted Talk by Wendy Suzuki.  It is extremely engaging and has many great graphics and illustrations.  “What’s the most transformative thing that you can do for your brain today? Exercise! says neuroscientist Wendy Suzuki. Get inspired to go to the gym as Suzuki discusses the science of how working out boosts your mood and memory — and protects your brain against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.”

Either assigning this short video or playing it in class will really engage your students.  It is interesting, fascinating, and will really show the application of Psychology.  Wendy Suzuki is a genuinely engaging speaker and the graphics will make the topic of neuroscience come alive for the students.

SOURCE

Ted Talks, March 21, 2018, by Wendy Suzuki

LINK TO RESOURCE

https://ed.ted.com/on/X93aZK9s

——————————–

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

•First, ask the students to read the articles or watch the TedTalk.

•How does exercise (aerobic or weight training) affect the body’s physiology in general?  What are the changes in the brain?

•What has been found regarding the effects of exercise on the general Psychological functioning (i.e., mood and memory) of individuals?

•What conclusions have researchers drawn about “weight training” in rodents?

•What conclusions are drawn about the effects of daily aerobic exercise in the slowing down of cognitive decline and improvement of brain health?