09/12/2025
■ 🧠 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 and enhancing cognitive function, while also alleviating depression, improving sleep, and promoting overall well-being.
■ Regular physical activity plays a crucial role in shaping brain size and structure, reducing neuroinflammation, and lowering the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.
■ The vital connection between movement and mental health is mediated by 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗲–𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸.
■ Skeletal muscle acts as a hub for producing and releasing signaling molecules called 𝗺𝘆𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 (a type of exerkine).
■ 🧬 These molecules, along with metabolites like lactate, communicate with the brain through endocrine, paracrine, or autocrine pathways.
👉Key myokines and mechanisms linking exercise to brain health include:
■ Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF): Acute and long-term aerobic exercise significantly increases plasma BDNF levels, which are linked to enhanced memory and increased hippocampal volume.
■ BDNF supports neuronal development, synaptic plasticity, growth, and survival.
■ Neurogenesis and Myelination: Exercise promotes the growth of new neurons (neurogenesis) in areas like the hippocampus and subventricular zone.
■ It also improves the structural integrity of the brain by enhancing neuronal myelination in the central nervous system.
■ Systemic Effects: Exercise improves metabolic risk factors like chronic inflammation and enhances the integrity and function of the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB).
■ Maintaining a healthy BBB is crucial, as its disruption is associated with early brain aging and cognitive impairment.
■ Exercise-induced signaling also aids in the clearance of amyloid-beta (Aβ).
■ The evidence underscores that maintaining physical activity throughout the lifespan promotes central nervous system (CNS) function and supports recovery, highlighting the importance of exercise for healthy aging and managing neurodegenerative conditions.
-----------------
⚠️Disclaimer: Sharing a study or a part of it is NOT an endorsement. Please read the original article and evaluate critically.⚠️
Link to Article 👇
