Everyone knows that physical
exercise benefits the body. After all, that honed 6-pack doesn’t come from
sitting on the couch munching crisps. However, fewer people are aware that
regular physical exercise can have serious benefits for the brain!
There is a legion of
scientific evidence to support the idea that strenuous activity leads to the
release of a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). The
release of BDNF is known to promote healthy nerve cells, which are essential
for mental performance, memory and recall. Physical exercise has also been shown
to surpass mental exercise when combatting brain shrinkage (which occurs with
memory problems and even in Alzheimer’s disease).
Considering all of these
profound benefits for physical exercise on the brain the Sheffield NeuroGirls
made it their mission to promote a healthier lifestyle in aid of neuroscience! We
have vowed to take on new (and even dangerous) sporting activities at our own
peril, and then relate our performance to changes which may be happening in our
brain.
Our first mission is to tackle
the world of rollerblading! Our first step was to fish-out some decent rollerblades
on eBay and then take them out for a spin. The Sheffield NeuroGirls have
currently been out for one (unstable) rollerblading session. We plan to track
our progress with videos and photos – before mapping our improvements
(hopefully) and relating these changes to the development of balance in the
cerebellum; and skill acquisition in the motor cortex. Here’s hoping that all
our practice means our frontal cortices can get a break when the skill
eventually becomes automated.
So watch this space… Videos
will be posted soon! (We just might have a particularly funny video of
NeuroGirl Priya falling over in her rollerblades).
