387. Sitting instead of exercising appears to worsen brain function
Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career.
Skipping exercise to do something less active, like sitting to watch TV or sleeping, decreases your memory and thinking ability, according to a new study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. UK researchers analyzed data from almost 4,500 adults. They determined that those who skipped exercise in favor of eight minutes of sedentary behavior exhibited 1 to 2 percent decreases in their cognition scores. Although these decreases were small, they show how even minor changes in physical activity can affect your brain health. On the other hand, choosing to exercise for nine minutes instead of sitting or lying down improved cognitive scores 1 percent.
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
