‘Weight Training Makes You Smarter”

People often ask me, “Justin, how did you get so damn smart!?” (Humor me for a moment in order to get to the good part). At first I wondered if it was genetic but after looking around at my siblings, I know that can’t be the case (HA-HA-HA!!!). So if it wasn’t genetic than what could it be?

It has been well documented that ‘exercise’ can improve mental function, however AS USUAL, most research has been with cardiovascular exercise. Neuroscientists at Columbia University in New York City conducted 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, obviously, became more fit. Their VO2 max, the standard measure of how much oxygen a person takes in while exercising, rose significantly.

The very interesting result of all those workouts, blood flowed at a much higher volume to a part of the brain responsible for neurogenesis. M.R.I. tests 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.

Well now my dear Lab Rats you will appreciate this ‘rat research’. NOW it turns out a group of Brazilian and Japanese scientists found that in rats brain growth factors increased from weight training and had a positive effect on brain blood flow. This effect was most strongly correlated to strength training over aerobic training in their current research (New York Times).

My mom always preached to me to be the smartest and strongest before heading off to school. Unfortunately the former took a while to realize. Perhaps I needed 20 years of weight training for this effect to occur! My siblings however, they have some lifting to do…So, looking for a great way for your kids to grow up healthy and strong? Try some exercise and of course a little WEIGHTLIFTING!