That was not a sexual innuendo. No, I’m simply referring to an article in the New York Times that states “exercise can, in fact, create a stronger, faster brain.” I stumbled upon this article becasue I’m definitely always looking for articles, ways, and means which give me a mental edge. Because I’m sure the many years of drinking did not exactly help my the processing power of my brain. Here’s a coupe of breakdowns from the New York Times article¹:

• Conventional wisdom had long held that animal (and human) brains weren’t malleable: after a brief window early in life, the brain could no longer grow or renew itself. The supply of neurons — the brain cells that enable us to think — was believed to be fixed almost from birth. As the cells died through aging, mental function declined. The damage couldn’t be staved off or repaired.
• But did neurogenesis also happen in the human brain? To find out, Gage and his colleagues had obtained brain tissue from deceased cancer patients who had donated their bodies to research. While still living, these people were injected with the same type of compound used on Gage’s mice. (Pathologists were hoping to learn more about how quickly the patients’ tumor cells were growing.) When Gage dyed their brain samples, he again saw new neurons. Like the mice, the humans showed evidence of neurogenesis.
• This spring, neuroscientists at Columbia University in New York City published a study in which a group of men and women, ranging in age from 21 to 45, began working out for one hour four times a week. After 12 weeks, the test subjects, predictably, became more fit. Their VO2 max, the standard measure of how much oxygen a person takes in while exercising, rose significantly.
• But something else happened as a result of all those workouts: blood flowed at a much higher volume to a part of the brain responsible for neurogenesis. Functional M.R.I.’s showed that a portion of each person’s hippocampus received almost twice the blood volume as it did before. Scientists suspect that the blood pumping into that part of the brain was helping to produce fresh neurons.

If you’re not a genius like me, let me breakdown some of these words:

• neurogenesis - the creation of new neurons
• hippocampus - plays a large role in the process and creation of memories and also in cognition

If there are some words, then just wikipedia them.

I’m rather excited about these findings. I mean why wouldn’t I be? I’ve started working out and I want to get a DS. If exercising can give me that needed mental edge then I’m all for it.

“Wait, Brandon…what does having a DS have anything to do with this article?!?”
Well that’s obviously simple…I want Brain Age 2 so I can exercise my brain…

But back to the subject: with these recent findings its making me to question what we are doing to the future decision makers in this country. As I’m sure many of you know, recess is being phased out of the school system. Why? It is a belief that it is a waste of time? Is Congress and Boards of Education across the country concerned with the fact that American students are behind in various standardized testing?²

Well they should be, however taking out physical fitness isn’t the answer. Physical Education classes along with the rest of the educational system should be revamped. P.E is looked at as an easy “A”. This is a problem.

Students need to release their abundance of energy and it would be a much better and more effective method for them to release their energy in P.E classes or on the field. Instead of the alternative such as being a disruptive force in the classroom and forcing out educators to work even harder than they are being paid to work.

Students and adults in this county are overweight³, malnourished, ignorant, and as a whole lazy. Exercise can help solve at least a few of these problems. Lets get up! Get up our fitness and get up our collective IQ.

[ Links | Sources | Reference ]

1. Lobes of Steel - NY Times
2. American Students drop to 13-year low in Reading Scores - Bloomberg.com
3. The Surgeon General’s Call to Action - US Dept. of Health and Human Services
4. Goal #20 (via the 27 in 2007 List) - Forty One Acres

Post Script: I think it’ll be the perfect time to complete Goal #20⁴. I mean…why not?!?