Running is certainly one of the easiest and cheapest ways to work out. Running improves cardiovascular health, strengthens muscles, and improves bone health. In addition to these physical benefits, a new study says that running is also associated with improved brain health.
A team of scientists at the University of Tsukuba in Japan recently completed a small-scale study that showed that only 10 minutes of moderate-intensity running improves both mood and executive processing. Cognitive behavior including attention span, memory, planning, organisation, and impulse control are part of the brain’s executive function, which gets boosted.
Also watch: Do you feel older than your years? Poor sleep quality may have something to do with it
The results of the study appeared in the journal Scientific Reports. The lead author of the study said that 10 minutes of moderate running enhances not only executive function but also amplifies mood coinciding with bilateral prefrontal activation.
However, there is a certain limitation to the study. The sample of the study is very small making it harder to draw conclusions about the wider population from the results.
Also watch: Ladies take note! Stress might be the reason behind that extra glass of wine