We know that the exercise bike has many benefits, but there is one that has surprised science: it improves memory.

JVTech News We know that the exercise bike has many benefits, but there is one that has surprised science: it improves memory.

Sports, an unexpected ally for your brain

Small everyday oversights are normal, they happen to everyone… but not on the same scale. Our memory sometimes plays tricks on us, yes, but did you know that a simple physical activity could significantly strengthen it? This is what recent scientific studies suggest.

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Physical exercise, whether cardio or muscular, is beneficial for our body, but also for our brain. In addition to reducing the risk of chronic diseases, sports improve our cognitive abilities, such as attention, information processing speed and… memory! Yes, plenty of research has established a direct link between aerobic exercise and better memory. Whether it’s to remember a face, a story or a place, movement helps us remember better.

25 minutes is enough to boost your memory

You don’t need to spend hours in the gym to feel the benefits. Studies have shown that Short bouts of exercise, such as a 10-minute walk or 30-minute bike ride, can already significantly improve your short-term memory.

A recent study, published in the journal iSciencelooked at spatial memory, that is, our ability to orient ourselves and remember places. The researchers divided the participants into two groups: a group that exercised for 25 minutes and a control group. The results are unequivocal: people who cycled did significantly better on spatial memory tests.

Why does it work? Scientists struggle a bit with the question. Scientists believe that exercise stimulates the production of certain chemicals in the brain that promote the growth of new nerve cells and strengthen the connections between neurons. Take this information with a grain of salt, there is no consensus yet.

So don’t hesitate, put on your sneakers and get started! Whether it’s running, swimming, dancing or cycling, it’s important to engage in regular physical activity. Your body and brain will thank you.

The keys to better memory

• Practice regular physical activity: 30 minutes a day is enough.
• Vary activities: to stimulate different areas of the brain.
• Have fun: sports should be fun!
• Consult a doctor before starting a new exercise program, especially if you have health problems.

Sources :

Ramirez Butavand, D., Rodriguez, MF, Cifuentes, MV, Miranda, M., Bauza, CG, Bekinschtein, P., & Ballarini, F. (2023). Acute and chronic physical activity improves spatial memory in an immersive virtual reality task. iScience, 26(3), 106176. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2023.106176

Smith, PJ, Blumenthal, JA, Hoffman, BM, Cooper, H., Strauman, TA, Welsh-Bohmer, K., Browndyke, JN, & Sherwood, A. (2010). Aerobic exercise and neurocognitive performance: a meta-analytic review of randomized controlled trials. Psychosomatic Medicine, 72(3), 239–252. https://doi.org/10.1097/PSY.0b013e3181d14633

Voss, MW, Soto, C., Yoo, S., Sodoma, M., Vivar, C., & van Praag, H. (2019). Exercise and Hippocampal Memory Systems. Trends in cognitive sciences, 23(4), 318–333. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2019.01.006

Potter, D., & Keeling, D. (2005). Effects of moderate exercise and circadian rhythms on human memory. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 27(1), 117-125.

Labban, JD, & Etnier, JL (2011). Effects of acute training on long-term memory. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 82(4), 712-721. https://doi.org/10.1080/02701367.2011.10599808