Activity description

The hungry brain

How can exercise and keeping fit help me learn?

  1. By exercising my brain?
  2. By improving the oxygen supply to my brain?
  3. By helping me avoid repetitive stress syndrome?
 

Answer

The answer we are looking for is 2.

Physical exercise stimulates blood flow, which helps carry oxygen and nutrients to all parts of the body more efficiently, including the brain - and in adults, a quarter of the body's oxygen is needed by the brain.

So try to keep fit - exercise helps you learn!

Source: Smith A (2002), The Brain's Behind It. Stafford: Network Education Press

Further information

  • The more you use (exercise) your brain, the more neurons are stimulated to make different connections, which helps you learn.
  • Using the same muscles again and again, for instance at your computer keyboard, can cause repetitive stress syndrome (RSS). It helps to change your position, move around and give yourself regular breaks.

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