Feb 1, 2008 12:00 PM
Brain Builders
Exercise plays a critical role in brain health, but few fitness facilities are promoting its cognitive benefits or developing brain-related programming.
Although reviews are mixed about whether computer-based brain fitness programs are worth the investment, experts agree that an emphasis on improving brain health through exercise may help clubs target the hard-to-reach deconditioned market.
“Even though we are learning more about the beneficial effects of exercise and the effects of exercise on the brain, the population as a whole is remaining sedentary,” says Benjamin Greenwood, research associate at the University of Colorado's department of integrative physiology and the Center for Neuroscience. “Promoting the beneficial effects of exercise is an essential first step to getting people off the couch.”
Aamodt suggests that clubs create separate classes for mental exercise. A separate space and being surrounded by other like-minded participants can increase people's motivation and comfort level.
“Brain health is a very significant and societally important benefit of exercise,” Aamodt says. “If you're selling exercise, you might as well sell it on the basis of what it really is good for.”
Brain Health Workout Ideas
To challenge your members' ability to learn and process information quickly while exploring new topic areas that require judgment and decision making, use the following tools and tips from the International Council on Active Aging:
- Book of the month club
Host a book of the month club in your aerobic studio or office during your down time. Invite members and non-members to meet every month to discuss a book that they have all read during the month. These sessions could be led by volunteers and can help keep your older clients' minds active while giving them the opportunity to socialize.
- Question and answer
Have your personal trainers challenge your older clients' memories with fun fit tips and questions, such as, “What muscle is this exercise working?” or “How do you set up and use this piece of equipment?” These may seem like elementary questions, but these questions will let you know if your older client is paying attention and if they are able to recall the information.
- Mind games
Place a health or fitness crossword puzzle in your monthly newsletter and offer prizes for completing it.
- Educational lectures
Host monthly talks that help members learn new things and have new experiences.
- Getting connected
What better way to keep the mind working — and people connected — than offering computer labs at your fitness center? Work with a local computer store to supply computers and with local schools to have teens come in and mentor your older members on the use of the computer during your down time.
- Travel fare
Work with your local travel agent to offer trips to other countries. Prior to the trip, offer language classes.
- Debate club
Create a debate club where older adults can chat and debate with others who share similar or opposing points of view.
- Art class
Offer art classes to stimulate creativity and memory recall.
- Autobiography club
This is a book-writing club where older adults can create the story of their lives for future generations to read and learn from.
Source: International Council on Active Aging
How Does Exercise Help the Brain?
- Improves concentration and attention
Brain imaging studies show that highly fit older adults have faster reaction times — an indication of better concentration — than their less fit counterparts. They also are better able to focus on relevant information and ignore irrelevant cues, indicating better attention.
- Reduces gray-matter loss
Highly fit people also show less of a decrease in gray matter in the cortex than is normally seen with aging, which may suggest a protective effect of exercise against nerve cell death. This effect is most pronounced in areas of the brain involved in executive cognition that typically decline with aging.
- Promotes neurogenesis
Neurogenesis is the production of new nerve cells as a result of neuronal cell division. Laboratory animals that are allowed to voluntarily run on an exercise wheel show increases in the generation and survival of new neurons (brain cells) in the hippocampus (the area of the brain involved in short-term memory). This increased neurogenesis is associated with improved learning.
- Strengthens synapses
In animals, running also increases the strength of synaptic connections. This occurs through the same molecular mechanism that is believed to underlie long-term memory formation.
- Changes gene patterns
Exercise induces changes in the expression patterns of a wide array of genes, with some becoming more active and some showing less activity. Many of the genes that become more active are known to play roles in the structure and adaptability of synapses, suggesting a direct role for exercise in synapse density.
- Increases growth factors
Growth factors are molecules that promote the health of specific cells and are produced by cells other than the ones they nourish. Nerve growth factors play vital roles in nourishing and supporting nerve cells. A growth factor called BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) increases significantly in the brains of animals that run voluntarily. Separate studies show that when people with depression exercise in addition to taking antidepressants, their BDNF levels increase and their depression symptoms decrease.
- Enhances blood flow
Exercise also increases the density and size of brain capillaries, which increases blood flow and oxygen to the brain. This may in turn help support the survival of new neurons and facilitate faster firing by neurons.
Source: The AARP
Talk Back
Pamela Kufahl
Editor
Do you have a comment on an industry issue, or would you like to write a letter for our Talk Back department about an article that appeared in Club Industry's Fitness Business Pro magazine? E-mail Pamela Kufahl, editor, or call her at 913-967-1815.
