How does exercise improve brain function?
A fast-paced workout boosts the production of a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor. I call it Miracle-Gro for the brain, and physical activity is one of the best ways to release this brain-nourishing protein. A workout at the gym or a brisk walk also seems to build better connections between brain cells. Studies show that regular physical activity may increase the production of cells in the hippocampus, the region of the brain involved in learning and memory. The end result is a brain that’s better able to perform in school, at home or on the job. Q: So does a regular workout also make you smarter? A: Yes. Take the Naperville school district in Illinois, for example. In 1990, a physical education teacher there named Phil Lawler launched a fitness revolution: He had the kids run a mile every single week. He also handed out grades for PE based on effort and not skill. The kids at Naperville not only got stronger, but they also started to do really well on the Trends in Inte
