Exercise Enhances Motor Learning and Memory

 Not only does physical activity improve our overall health, but it also has an amazing side effect: it improves our memory. A recent study by researchers from the University of Copenhagen sheds light on how exercise, both before and after learning, significantly improves motor memory formation, allowing us to effortlessly recall tasks like riding a bike or tying our shoes.

Understanding the Study:

In this study, conducted by the nutrition, exercise, and sports department, the researchers discovered that incorporating exercise into the learning process yielded remarkable results. Whether exercised before or after learning, individuals showed around a 10% improvement in their ability to remember a motor skill. The most significant impact was observed when exercise was both before and after the learning session.

Lasse Jespersen, the first author of the study, emphasizes the broad applicability of this effect, stating that it holds true for individuals of all ages, from children to older adults. The findings are particularly relevant for those regularly acquiring new skills and may even offer benefits for individuals undergoing rehabilitation to recover lost motor skills.

Study Methodology:

Sixty-seven test subjects, all young men aged 18 to 35, participated in the research. They were chosen to ensure comparable data, free from physical or mental impairments affecting learning ability. The participants underwent different scenarios involving rest or moderate exercise on a bicycle, followed by a fine motor task using a computer game. Subsequent intense exercise or rest sessions were part of the study design.

How Exercise Affects the Brain:

Engaging in motor practice activates specific parts of the brain, crucial for acquiring fine motor skills. The brain undergoes changes, essential for learning and remembering new skills, a phenomenon known as brain plasticity. Exercise, even after learning something new, further enhances these changes, contributing to memory consolidation.

Jesper Lundbye-Jensen, the head of the department's movement and neuroscience section, explains that physical activity increases the brain's ability to change, a prerequisite for effective memory. The release of neurotransmitters during exercise supports the brain's development initiated by new learning.

Applicability and Future Implications:

The study excluded professional musicians and gamers to maintain a level playing field. Jespersen notes that future research could explore how exercise affects individuals with elite-level fine motor skills. The study's findings have broad implications, from helping children in developing motor skills to potentially revolutionizing rehabilitation approaches. Integrating physical training, ergonomic practices, and cognitive training concurrently could have synergistic effects, enhancing efficiency and benefitting individuals working towards regaining mobility after an accident.

As the researchers envision a longer-term study to measure lasting effects, the current findings already highlight the promising synergy between physical activity and motor memory formation. Even slight improvements in efficiency, especially during rehabilitation, can make a meaningful difference in individuals' lives.

which is true of inducements in research? physical activity definition summarize how the components of health are related to wellness. compare and contrast aerobic physical activity with anaerobic physical activity.

During a medical screening, lung capacity testing is a standard procedure. Real foods differ from food products in a number of ways. select all those that apply. What are the benefits of exercise? Exercise is physical activity with the goal of improving physical fitness. Which of the following can be described as a sedentary activity? Real foods differ from food products in a number of ways. select all those that apply. what is a concussion and what are the symptoms to look for? only certain types of physical activity help to develop physical fitness.

How does a pedometer help people reach their fitness goals? How much physical activity should an adult have each week? Where on the physical activity pyramid do sedentary activities belong? which percentage of american adults do not exercise on a regular basis?