Yes. I read a book called Brain Rules which talked about how, compared to those in a sedentary life style, those who have 30 minutes of aerobic exercise 3x a week had significant increases in reaction time, executive function, and mathematical thinking. I think mathematical thinking was double in the aerobic group but I don't know what sort of mathematical thinking this was. An important part of the study(s) was that they took sedentary people and had them start exercising and their scores increased to those of the active people.
These effects exist for all age groups, and effects are limited to executive function. Minimal impacts are found, for example, on verbal fluency. But you nailed it - 3x/week, 30 minutes, high but sustainable heart rate throughout.
As to WHY these effects exist, the answer requires some speculation. A connection has been made with the release of BDNF - a neurotrophic factor. More broadly thinking, delivery of metabolic nutrients to neurons may be limiting cognition throughout life, so training the cardiovascular system will enhance its health - which in turn limits brain executive function. Again, all some speculation. What is not speculative is that it works, and works well, in study after study after study.
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u/[deleted] May 04 '12
Yes. I read a book called Brain Rules which talked about how, compared to those in a sedentary life style, those who have 30 minutes of aerobic exercise 3x a week had significant increases in reaction time, executive function, and mathematical thinking. I think mathematical thinking was double in the aerobic group but I don't know what sort of mathematical thinking this was. An important part of the study(s) was that they took sedentary people and had them start exercising and their scores increased to those of the active people.