The Brain: The Body’s Command Center

If you think about it, it is fascinating how a gooey blob, known as the brain, happens to be the most complex organ in the body. The brain controls the activity of almost every other organ. However, the brain was not always considered the center of thought and intelligence. For example, Ancient Egyptians preferred to preserve the hearts of mummies, rather than the brains. They believed that the heart was the organ of intelligence and the motor of the body. Today, scientists know better, and they work around the clock to explore the many wonders of the brain. Despite their continuous efforts, there is still so much that we do not know about the brain! What do we know about the brain? We know that the brain is soft and fragile, and therefore is protected by three membranes and a strong, bony skull. The brain is divided into three main parts: the cerebrum, the cerebellum, and the brainstem (Figure 1).

The cerebrum is the largest and most noticeable part of the brain. It is divided into two halves, called left and right hemispheres. Each hemisphere consists of five lobes. Each lobe contains distinct areas responsible for specific functions. For example, one lobe contains the brain areas responsible for intentional movement, while another contains the areas responsible for the sense of touch. It is important to understand that these various lobes communicate with one another to organize and coordinate our behaviors. The cerebellum is sometimes called the “little brain.” In humans, it is smaller than the cerebrum and is found at the base of the brain. The cerebellum handles many brain functions, such as the planning of movements and adjustment of posture. You can easily distinguish the cerebellum by its folds, which look like elongated bands. Finally, the brainstem connects the brain with the rest of the nervous system. The brainstem plays a major role in controlling the heart and respiration.

When looking at these larger structures, the brains of different people seem to be alike, but we can notice many differences once we “zoom in” on people’s brains. This is because the cells of the brain, called neurons, are constantly reshaping their connections with each other. Neurons have elongated extensions called axons and dendrites that allow them to communicate (Figure 1). Neurons are connected differently in different brains. Think of it this way: if two or more neurons have no reason to talk to each other, they will not be motivated to stay in touch. On the other hand, some neurons can become close friends and establish strong connections with each other when motivated by certain signals, for example, when you are learning a new sport. The constant change in the relationships between neurons is important because it allows the brain to learn, adapt, and store memories. The change in the connections between neurons over time is a process that scientists call neuroplasticity [1].

“Neuro” + “Plastic” = Neuroplasticity

When we say that neurons are plastic, we do not mean the plastic that is polluting our planet! Plastic can also be used as an adjective, to mean something that can be easily shaped and molded. Neuroplasticity indicates that the brain cells are always being reshaped and remodeled. Some neurons tend to strengthen their connections, while others weaken certain connections with other cells. When we learn new information or practice new hobbies, the neurons that are involved release chemicals that strengthen and elongate their connections. Thus, these chemicals promote neuroplasticity and help brain cells to connect, so that we learn more effectively (Figure 2).

The signals that neurons receive from outside the brain dictate which other neurons they should communicate with. To illustrate, let us look at an example. Suppose that you are learning tennis for the first time. Each time you practice, a team of neurons, assembled from the different lobes of the brain, is responsible for your activity. These neurons try to communicate with each other in the most efficient way, so that you get better at tennis. Communication between this team of neurons is made more efficient by either extending new connections toward each other or boosting the existing connections. If you decide to stop practicing tennis, the communication between the team members becomes weaker, and you start losing the skills you acquired [1].

The brain needs to be stimulated all the time! Stimulation encourages neurons to make new connections and join new teams. This reshaping of the brain allows a person to learn new things. Stimulation of the brain can occur through mental activities and through physical activities. A combination of both is even better for reshaping the brain! An idle, non-exercising brain becomes slow and lazy. So, you should try to stimulate your brain as often as possible (Figure 3)!

Exercise and Be Wise: The Brain and Sports Are Close Allies!

Scientists have been studying the positive effects of exercise on the body and the brain for a long time. Sadly, most people between the ages of 11 and 17 do not perform the recommended amount of physical activity. So, if you have been skipping your physical exercise sessions, here is one more reason why you should not.

During adolescence, the brain goes through a significant maturation process. Lifestyle factors, such as physical activity, have a great influence on the brain’s maturation process. As we mentioned earlier, neurons form strong connections when they are encouraged to do so…and physical activity is an excellent encouragement! When many neurons are encouraged to form new connections or modify their existing connections, entire areas of the brain may become altered. For example, the brain area responsible for memory is often larger and more developed in young adolescents who exercise regularly. Also, individuals who exercise regularly have a greater number of active neurons in the memory area when they perform tasks that involve memory, such as memorizing a list of random words. Young adolescents who are less fit may need to use much more brain energy to perform the same task.

What is more, scientists have found a positive relationship between physical activity and academic performance. They discovered that students who exercised more had higher grades than those who did not. Scientists have also noticed that physical exercise boosts certain mental abilities such as attention, planning, and problem-solving. These important mental abilities can help you perform better at school and will help you in any future career. This is yet another reason why you should seize the opportunity to strengthen your brain by exercising whenever you get the chance [2]! A lifestyle with low levels of physical activity can in fact cause a decline in mental abilities and academic achievement, in both children and adolescents [3].

So, which physical exercises can boost brain activity? The answer is aerobic exercise. Aerobic exercise includes any activity that stimulates the heart and increases the amount of oxygen in the blood, such as running, swimming, jogging, cycling, dancing, hiking, skipping rope, kickboxing, or anything else you can think of that gets your heart pumping!

Exercise Can Be Neuro-Protective

In addition to the previously mentioned benefits, exercise can also protect us from diseases of the brain that cause neurons to die. These are known as neurodegenerative diseases. Alzheimer’s disease is a well-known neurodegenerative disease that makes it hard for people to remember even the basic things, such as how to get dressed. Aerobic exercise may actually delay this decline in brain performance of people with Alzheimer’s disease [4]. Exercise can also help the brain to recover after a stroke. A stroke can occur when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted. Exercise can help stroke-damaged brains to become well again. Studies have also shown that exercise is beneficial after traumatic brain injuries. Traumatic brain injury is the term for damage that occurs in the brain due to an external force, like a hard hit to the head. Studies have shown that exercise improves learning following brain injuries. However, engaging in physical activity following a brain injury should be done gradually, according to a doctor’s guidelines, to avoid further injury. The more severe the brain injury, the more time a person will need before hitting the playground again [5].

The Bottom Line

Now you know that exercise can benefit not only your body but also your brain. Phsyical activity promotes a healthy brain by enhancing the process of neuroplasticity. In fact, phsyical activity can strengthen the existing connections between neurons and at the same time helps to add new connections between them. As such, exercise can improve memory and academic performance; with the added bonus of slowing down neurodegenerative diseases and helping the brain to heal better after injury. So, the next time you do not feel like going to a gym class or decide to skip exercising, try to remember that good things come to those who sweat!

Glossary

Cerebrum: ↑ The largest part of the brain; it consists of the right and left hemispheres.

Cerebellum: ↑ Also known as the little brain, it is usually smaller than the cerebrum. It is attached at the bottom of the brain.

Brainstem: ↑ The part of the brain that resembles a stalk or a trunk. It connects the cerebrum with the spinal cord.

Nervous System: ↑ The system that organizes the body’s actions and senses by sending signals from the body to the brain and vice versa.

Neurons: ↑ Nerve cells, which are the main cells of the nervous system. Neurons have long extensions called dendrites and axons that help them to communicate with each other.

Neuroplasticity: ↑ A process that allows the brain to be reshaped and remodeled over time. It involves changes in the connections between various neurons.

Aerobic Exercise: ↑ A type of exercise in which the heart is stimulated and the body uses more oxygen than normal.

Neurodegenerative Diseases: ↑ A disease that affects the nervous system and usually causes the death of nerve cells. Examples include Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.