Treading steady wins the brain race, says science
May 29, 2016 Ashley 0 Comments
“Exercise is about working smarter – not harder.”
Well, that’s a loaded quote. ’cause after this study I just read up on, actually, it turns out that exercise is about a bit of both. I mean, sure, going BTTW level harder on the weights or high intensity interval training is good for fat blasting and building impenetrable meat sheathing to live in… But, now, there’s some news that champions steady treadmill stepping, as well. (Or biking. Or swimming.) And that’s because steady does win the race – when it comes to matters of the mind. According to an experiment published in the “Journal of Physiology” (which I ended up reading about while thumbing through “Shape” while getting a pedicure), performing boring-paced cardio actually maximizes new neuron production. Not impressed? Then lemme translate by subbing in “it makes you smarter” for “new neurons”. See, weight lifting doesn’t do that. Crazy paced intervals don’t do that. Sitting on the couch (obviously, though it was worth a try to see – just in case) doesn’t do that. But steady cardio does.
(A.) Wait, how’d they make rodents weight-lift? I sure hope the three blind mice weren’t their spotters…
B.) This doesn’t surprise me in the least. Even breathing – whatever the speed – sits at the foundation of meditation. And meditation is scientifically proven to increase our number of neurons and improve cognitive function.)
Yet, we all hear how good strength training and intervals are for putting on muscle and raising our BMR.
So what gives?
Well, nothing, really. This is just a nice yes-and to what we all should already know. And that’s that balance is absolutely crucial to any sustainable lifestyle. It shouldn’t seem so foreign a concept. Much like we all have to match healthy edibles to our exercise regimen, we’ve also gotta ration out what types of exercise we’re doing when. Some days might be reserved for hoisting heavy metal to heavy metal. Other days could be dedicated to interspersing intense effort into cardio. And, others yet, are meant to spend in a steady state of even paced aerobics. The only difference is that now, when you hit your gym’s stationary bike, there’s a new “spin” on the aforementioned suggestion about “working smarter – not harder”. (Seeing as you’re literally getting smarter by not working any harder.) That said, technically, working both harder and smarter throughout each week is the smartest thing you can do. ’cause if you’re getting the intelligence-inducing steady cardio as well as lifting and intensity, then you’re basically the Hulk with a high IQ and killer BMR. And who doesn’t want it all? That’s what it all boils down to, really. Balance. We need evenness between all facets of our fitness plan. Because, sure, a monotonous jogging pace may take a back seat to barbell lifting or super-sprints. But when it comes to the brain, it’s brawn that takes the bronze.
So, what’s your best bet to being an Olympian at both brain and body fitness?
How do you get the gold?
You don’t. You nab the platinum by taking all three medals home – on different days.
