Researchers from Sweden recently found that teenagers who increased their cardiovascular health between the ages of 15-18 had higher intelligence scores (IQ), and were more likely to go to college and be successful. This makes total sense because when you exercise, you increase blood flow to the brain. Increased blood flow to the brain means more oxygen and nutrients to the brain. When the brain is nourished, brain cells can grow and new brain cell connections can be made. This leads to better focus, concentration, and memory.
Researcher Nancy Pederson commented: "The results provide scientific support for educational policies to maintain or increase physical education in school curricula,” “Physical exercise should be an important instrument for public health initiatives to optimize cognitive performance, as well as disease prevention at the society level.”
Chalk one up for Physical Education!
Maria A. I. Åberga, Nancy L. Pedersen, Kjell Toréne, Magnus Svartengrenf, Björn Bäckstrandg, Tommy Johnssonh, Christiana M. Cooper-Kuhna, N. David Åberga, Michael Nilssona, and H. Georg Kuhna. Cardiovascular fitness is associated with cognition in young adulthood. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 2009 November
Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden.
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