Movement and the Developing Brain
The research is convincing! The best thing we can for kids is to get them moving. Consider the impact of movement on the brain:
- Increased white matter in the corpus collosum. The corpus collosum integrates information between the two hemispheres of the brain and white matter plays a significant role in cognition and behavior.
- Increased connections between brain structures. More neural connections results in increased brain efficiency and problem-solving abilities.
- Enhanced development in the frontal cortex. The frontal cortex is responsible for most of our executive functioning skills.
- Increased neuroplasticity, which is the brain's ability to continue to change and build itself.
- Neurotransmitter balance. Movement increases levels of dopamine, serotonin and other neurotransmitters that help with mood, behavior, and learning.
Chaddock-Heyman, L., Erickson, K., Kienzler, C., Drollette, E., Raine, L., Kao, S. . . . Kramer, A. F. (2018). Physical activity increases white matter microstructure in children. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 12, 950.https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2018.00950
Jiménez-Maldonado, A., Rentería, I., García-Suárez, P. C., Moncada-Jiménez, J., & Freire-Royes, L. F. (2018). The impact of high-intensity interval training on brain derived neurotrophic factor in brain: A mini-review. Frontiers in neuroscience, 12, 839. https://doi:10.3389/fnins.2018.00839
Mualem, R., Leisman, G., Zbedat, Y., Ganem, S., Mualem, O., Amaria, M. . . . Ornai, A. (2018). The effect of movement on cognitive performance. Frontiers in Public Health, 6, 100. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2018.00100
Valkenborghs, S., Noetel, M., Hillman, C., Nilsson, M., Smith, J., Ortega, F., & Lubans, D. (2019). The impact of physical activity on brain structure and function in youth: A systematic review. Pediatrics, 144(4), e20184032. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2018-4032
Taken from: Sensational Brain
https://sensationalbrain.com/tips/movement-and-the-developing-brain/