<p>Hi, </p>
<p>I see all these studies on how exercising keeps the brain active and improves memory. But when I see the top students in my high school, I wouldn't necessarily call them athletic or exercise type people. When I look at the athletes and regular exercisers, I wouldn't necessarily call them the brightest either. There are exceptions to this rule of course. I am wondering because I want to start exercising regularly when I enter college in order to improve my memory and retain information. Has anyone seen a huge impact on their memory when they are exercising? I guess running is the most common when it comes to this.</p>
<p>I read this book once, but I don’t remember the title. Exercise DOES improve memory and cognitive functions in general. Whether you choose to exercise the cognitive functions… well that’s your personal problem. As demonstrated by the “athletes” in your school.</p>
<p>Everybody should be exercising regardless of whether or not it improves their memory. It’s a shame that so many people these days don’t! For me, personally, neglecting to exercise is no different than neglecting to take a shower or not brushing my teeth.</p>
<p>Any kind of physical fitness is great for you physically, mentally, and emotionally. Whenever I run or wrestle, the adrenaline is one of the greatest feelings I can experience in life. I don’t even know how to explain it. It’s not necessarily fun when you’re actually in the middle of running or wrestling, but that warm feeling you get afterwards is heavenly. Whenever I play tennis or play golf, it’s a great way to burn some stress. It’s not as intense as track or wrestling, but it’s just a fun way to hang out with friends and burn a few calories while I’m at it. :)</p>
<p>Exercise won’t make up for stupidity and lack of exercise won’t dumb down someone who is brilliant. That being said, I have had more academic success at times when I have been doing more regular exercise. When I’m exercising, I start eating healthier without needing to resist food, I feel more relaxed, I sleep better, I am more gregarious, I do better in school, I sleep better. Only 11% of people in the U.S. get the recommended weekly exercise. I recently have had an excessively long hiatus from my exercise routine and I have been eating and sleeping worse, and feeling worse overall. Remember though, correlation is not causation.</p>
<p>I recommend reading Brain Rules by John Medina to answer your question. I have not been able to read it yet, but I looked through it and it has a chapter or so on exercise and its effect on brain functions.</p>
<p>@Nadizzle Thank you, that was the book I read.</p>
<p>the top students spend more time on studying than the athletes (usually) who spend more time on sports. you can’t tell who has the better memory from this. only that one group spends more time memorizing.</p>
<p>and plus, some people naturally start out with a better memory, but that doesn’t normally vary much.</p>
<p>I find swimming helps with remembering my spanish essays because I have so much time in the water to go ever and over them, but that’s not the exercise, more like the amount of time I spend with no brain power involved</p>