--- title: How Exercise Increases Cognition description: It has been proven that exercise increases cognition. Physiological changes with the onset of exercise, especially aerobic and strength training, prep the brain for success. image: https://blog.bridgeathletic.com/hs-fs/file-1246783429-jpg/blog-files/cognitive.jpg --- [![BridgeAthletic Blog](https://blog.bridgeathletic.com/hs-fs/hub/414934/file-1317417595.png?width=150&height=50&name=file-1317417595.png "BridgeAthletic Blog")](https://blog.bridgeathletic.com) - [BridgeAthletic.com→](https://bridgeathletic.com/) ![](https://blog.bridgeathletic.com/hs-fs/file-1246783429-jpg/blog-files/cognitive.jpg) March 13, 2014 By Shelley Harper # How Exercise Increases Cognition Share: - - - ![Exercise_152.Still002_cropped.jpg](https://blog.bridgeathletic.com/hs-fs/hubfs/social-suggested-images/Exercise_152.Still002_cropped.jpg?width=480&height=320&name=Exercise_152.Still002_cropped.jpg "Exercise_152.Still002_cropped.jpg") Most people know that working out is a great way to stay fit, healthy and happy. Additionally, and lesser known, physical activity helps increase cognition. When you exercise your heart- you exercise your brain! Previous studies involving exercise and cognition were focused on decreasing the risk of dementia in the elderly. However, with new technological advances, there is more research showing the cognitive benefits of exercise at all ages. In this post, we will explore these new advances and how they translate to the positive influence on cognition and brainpower. #### Physiological changes with the onset of exercise The body goes through many physiological changes when exercising. When people think about the biological processes that change with the onset of exercise- most think of an athlete’s increased cardiac output and ventilation to support the increased physical demand. However, this is just the beginning of all the changing physiological processes in an exercising athletes’ body. Next I will outline two of the main changes that cause increased cognition by exercising. #### Exercise increases cognition: 2 main reasons 1. **Increased Blood Flow** Recently, with the use of a radioactive tracer, researchers were able to monitor cerebral blood flow during exercise. [They proved](http://mcgraw-hill.co.uk/html/0072556420.html) that **cerebral blow flow can increase over 25%, thus greatly increasing oxygen delivery to the brain. A rise in oxygen delivery improves cognition by neutralizing free radicals that cause the degradation of neurons.** Exercise also promotes the creation of new blood vessels in the body increasing the function of the circulatory system. This growing network gives the brain further access to a reserve of oxygen and glucose- vital to the brain’s function. 2. **Increase in BDNF** BDNF (Brian-derived neurotropic factor) is a protein that plays a major role in cognition and neurogenisis. Not only does **it contribute to an increase in neural plasticity,** but also **it works to protect current neural pathways**- all contributing to an increase in cognition. [Studies have proven](http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/22/magazine/how-exercise-could-lead-to-a-better-brain.html?_r=3&pagewanted=all&) that **exercise induces BDNF production,** however the causal mechanism of this increase still continues to be researched. #### What type of exercise is best for the brain? [![brain and exercise](https://blog.bridgeathletic.com/hs-fs/file-1246783479-jpg/blog-files/brain.jpg?width=200&height=100&name=brain.jpg "brain and exercise")](https://blog.bridgeathletic.com/hs-fs/file-1246783479-jpg/blog-files/brain.jpg) [In a study](http://www.brainrules.net/exercise) comparing aerobic and strength training, it was found that aerobic exercise benefits cognitive executive functions. (“Executive Functions” refers to functions that are involved in the management of cognitive processes i.e. planning and problem solving skills) While aerobic exercise was found to be more beneficial, brain function was also seen in strength training. Ultimately this study concluded that a combination of these two types of exercise provided the greatest benefit.   #### The Takeaway   References: #### About the Author [Shelley Harper](https://blog.bridgeathletic.com/author/shelley-harper) ![](https://blog.bridgeathletic.com/hs-fs/hub/414934/file-1247428684.jpeg?width=75&name=file-1247428684.jpeg) Shelley graduated from UC Berkeley in 2012 majoring in Integrative Biology and is currently applying to nursing school. She competed on the women’s swim team at Cal and contributed to three NCAA Championship team titles in her four years. Shelley’s interest in exercise physiology was sparked after discovering connections between the materials learned in her anatomy lab and her athletic endeavors. It is her goal to share this knowledge and inspire other athletes to make these connections to help them reach their personal goals. After finishing her swimming career in 2012, Shelley is now a triathlete utilizing her background in exercise physiology to aid this athletic transition. ### Related Posts [![](https://blog.bridgeathletic.com/hubfs/pexels-ready-made-3850731.jpg)](https://blog.bridgeathletic.com/supplement-safety-with-tactical-professionals) September 26, 2023 #### [Supplement Safety with Tactical...](https://blog.bridgeathletic.com/supplement-safety-with-tactical-professionals) Dietary supplements seem like the "magic pill" a tactical operator needs to perform better,... 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[Read More](https://blog.bridgeathletic.com/post-training-nutrition-for-tactical-professionals) ## Subscribe to our blog Bunch of awesome content ![Bridge Logo-Black-1200px](https://blog.bridgeathletic.com/hubfs/Bridge%20Logo-Black-1200px.svg) - - - - © 2026 BridgeAthletic [Bridge Blog](https://blog.bridgeathletic.com/) [Explore BridgeAthletic ➞](https://www.bridgeathletic.com) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Shelley Harper", "url" : "https://blog.bridgeathletic.com/author/shelley-harper" }, "datePublished" : "2014-03-13T18:42:00.000Z", "headline" : "How Exercise Increases Cognition", "image" : [ "https://blog.bridgeathletic.com/hs-fs/file-1246783429-jpg/blog-files/cognitive.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.bridgeathletic.com/exercise-your-body-and-your-brain", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.bridgeathletic.com/hubfs/Bridge%20Logo%20Black%20%5B1200%5D.png" }, "name" : "BridgeAthletic" } } ```