We all know that sitting too much isn’t good for our health. Many of us spend our days at desks or evenings watching TV, which means a lot of time spent sitting down.
This habit can harm our health, even affecting our brains. Studies have shown that when we sit for too long without moving, our brains might not work as well.
This is especially true for parts of the brain that help us plan, focus, remember, and do more than one thing at a time.
New Research: Squats to the Rescue
But there’s good news from recent research. A study, published in the Journal of Applied Physiology, has found a simple way to help our brains while we sit.
The study suggests that doing a quick exercise, like squatting, for just one minute at intervals can keep our brains sharp.
In this study, young adults were asked to take part in an experiment. They did two different activities. In one, they just sat for three hours straight.
In the other, they sat for the same time but did a one-minute squatting exercise every 20 minutes. The researchers then measured several things like blood pressure, heart rate, and how much blood was flowing to their brains.
The Tests and Results: Quick Squats Make a Big Difference
After these activities, the volunteers did three tests. These tests were designed to check how well their brains were working.
One test involved matching colors and words, another involved connecting numbers and letters, and the third test was about how tired or focused they felt.
The results were interesting. When the volunteers did the squat exercises, they did better on the tests. They were quicker at matching colors and words and connecting numbers and letters.
They also felt more focused and less tired compared to when they just sat without moving.
Another important finding was about blood flow to the brain. When the volunteers sat without moving, the blood flow to their brain decreased. But when they did the squats, there was a slight increase in blood flow.
Conclusion: Moving More for a Better Brain
The study shows that even in situations where we have to sit for a long time, like at work, doing something as simple as squatting for a minute every now and then can help our brains stay active.
This could be a great way for people to keep their minds sharp and reduce the negative effects of sitting for too long.
While the study was done in a controlled environment, and real-life situations might be different, the idea of taking short breaks for quick exercises like squats could be a practical way for many of us to improve our brain health during long periods of sitting.
If you care about brain health, please read studies about how the Mediterranean diet could protect your brain health, and blueberry supplements may prevent cognitive decline.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies about antioxidants that could help reduce dementia risk, and Coconut oil could help improve cognitive function in Alzheimer’s.
The research findings can be found in the Journal of Applied Physiology.
Copyright © 2023 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
