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Training exercise boosts brain power, Johns Hopkins researchers say

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Re: Training exercise boosts brain power, Johns Hopkins researchers say

#61

Post by JamesBarney »

Bartweiss wrote: post #32
DigitalJack wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I thought the unique aspect here was comparing techniques against each other. Not that the techniques hadn't been studied. It didn't seem like a great distinction to me, but maybe it eliminates control issues when comparing two studies of different techniques vs comparing two different techniques in one study.

Yeah, I think the head-to-head between techniques is what's novel about the paper. But what confused me is that they got a strong positive off dual n-back in the first place; other studies of that exact technique have regularly come up ambiguous-to-negative.

The studies on Dual-N-Back increasing IQ have been all over the place. Some positive some negative. With the larger more careful trials coming up negative.

But IQ isn't working memory, attention, or executive function. And the findings on Dual-N-Back and working memory are less ambiguous and more positive.

Also there have been some more interesting studies done on Dual-N-Back in terms of changing Type 1 dopamine receptor density, as well as volume changes in certain parts of the pre-frontal cortex. So it really does seem like it's doing something even if that doesn't translate into an IQ change.

Re: Training exercise boosts brain power, Johns Hopkins researchers say

#62

Post by kirykl »

vtail wrote: post #13
JamesBarney wrote: post #6

When the first studies by Jaeggie on IQ came out a few years ago I hit dual n back pretty hard trying to improve my IQ. I don't think I got any smarter, but I did notice a few things. Pros My attention got better, I was less easily distracted. My executive function was better, I made better choices in life.(less junk food, fewer beers) My thoughts slipped less often, I had those "what was I just talking about" moment…

James - that's pretty interesting. Could you please share what SW (or other tools) did you use to train for dual-n-back?

I've found this to be the best iOS app for dual n-back https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/iq-boost/id286574399

Re: Training exercise boosts brain power, Johns Hopkins researchers say

#63

Post by taeric »

noir_lord wrote: post #26
taeric wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Amusingly, I would not be surprised to find some people need both. In particular, exercise is boring. Very very boring. Anything that can help with concentration during boring tasks is useful. Obviously, that is my experience. Ymmv

> In particular, exercise is boring. Very very boring. I regularly spend 2-4hrs on a road bike and I've never found it boring and I have a low boredom threshold generally (outside of programming). It's just a case of finding your niche.

You are strengthening my point, right?

And don't get me wrong, I bike quite often. I find for myself, I basically have to obligate myself to some distance. If I have a bus pass, I'm not doing that 400 ft climb home. If I don't have somewhere to go, I'll just read a book instead. And I claim that I do enjoy biking.

Re: Training exercise boosts brain power, Johns Hopkins researchers say

#64

Post by taeric »

hinkley wrote: post #43
noir_lord wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> In particular, exercise is boring. Very very boring. I regularly spend 2-4hrs on a road bike and I've never found it boring and I have a low boredom threshold generally (outside of programming). It's just a case of finding your niche.

I did when I was younger and my theory is that one of the reasons some people have trouble with endurance exercise is the same reason they can't do yoga or meditation. It's just too much time alone with your own thoughts and it's scary for some people. I'm not convinced that it's the actual running that's predominantly responsible for the neurogenisis (although we know that exercise causes an uptick in HGH so it's pl…

This is my pet hypothesis. Obligating myself to just a 30 minute bike ride home has been hugely successful with giving me "thinking" time. The hard climb sorta destroys this. But overall it works quite well.

Re: Training exercise boosts brain power, Johns Hopkins researchers say

#65

Post by misev »

harbie wrote: post #22
taeric wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Amusingly, I would not be surprised to find some people need both. In particular, exercise is boring. Very very boring. Anything that can help with concentration during boring tasks is useful. Obviously, that is my experience. Ymmv

This was how I felt about lifting weights. I know about all of it's amazing health benefits, but you've got 3-5 minutes rest between sets, with most programs having you do at least 9 sets total. That's not even counting the time added on if someone else asks to work in sets with you. Plus the need for a spotter when benching. Point is, I ended up getting into bouldering. If you want to send a bouldering problem, you…

An alternative to bouldering is sport climbing. I find it offers a much better balance between the physical and mental parts.

Bouldering routes are only a couple of moves so the focus tends to be on raw power; climbing routes are longer and require more time planning and developing an optimal/working strategy, which can be more engaging and interesting.

Re: Training exercise boosts brain power, Johns Hopkins researchers say

#66

Post by taeric »

collyw wrote: post #23
taeric wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Amusingly, I would not be surprised to find some people need both. In particular, exercise is boring. Very very boring. Anything that can help with concentration during boring tasks is useful. Obviously, that is my experience. Ymmv

"exercise is boring". You are clearly very unimaginative when it comes to exercise. I find the gym pretty bloody boring. But whitewater kayaking, mountain biking, rock climbing easily beat sitting in front of a computer. If those are too much go for a hike in the mountains and take in some scenery. Or learn to surf. Or cycle to work. I get an hours solid exercise every day doing that and save myself time and money as…

I do quite a few of those things. I still get quite bored with them. :) Biking to work only works for me because it becomes an obligation. And, if I had my bus pass with me, I would easily take the bus on more days than not.

Also again, my point was that getting good at exercising is getting good at a relatively quiet mindset that many people deprive themselves of. So, I believe there to be a feedback loop between the two ideas.

Re: Training exercise boosts brain power, Johns Hopkins researchers say

#67

Post by 0xJRS »

dyarosla wrote: post #57
pdog wrote: post #14

Do you know the best exercise for your brain? Actual exercise. Running increases neurogenesis[1] more than anything else. [1]: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/04/well/move/for-your-brains...

The link does not compare running versus other forms of exercise. It compares running vs no exercise. "Running increases neurogenesis[1] more than anything else." is not a finding in the article.

Does anyone have a similar study done for other types of cardiovascular exercise? I never run but have a hybrid MTB I got a few months ago and ride a few miles 3-5 days a week, but if its not as effective as jogging i'll start to switch it up a little.

Re: Training exercise boosts brain power, Johns Hopkins researchers say

#68

Post by okreallywtf »

wildmusings wrote: post #25
collyw wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"exercise is boring". You are clearly very unimaginative when it comes to exercise. I find the gym pretty bloody boring. But whitewater kayaking, mountain biking, rock climbing easily beat sitting in front of a computer. If those are too much go for a hike in the mountains and take in some scenery. Or learn to surf. Or cycle to work. I get an hours solid exercise every day doing that and save myself time and money as…

> You are clearly very unimaginative when it comes to exercise. I find the gym pretty bloody boring. But whitewater kayaking, mountain biking, rock climbing easily beat sitting in front of a computer. If those are too much go for a hike in the mountains and take in some scenery. Or learn to surf. Those aren't routine activities, unless you are fortunately situated.

Soccer is available just about everywhere at just about ever age range and is great exercise and is stimulating mentally as well.

Re: Training exercise boosts brain power, Johns Hopkins researchers say

#69

Post by taeric »

rukuu001 wrote: post #30
taeric wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Amusingly, I would not be surprised to find some people need both. In particular, exercise is boring. Very very boring. Anything that can help with concentration during boring tasks is useful. Obviously, that is my experience. Ymmv

There's always something to think about while, say, running. Is my posture correct? Are my feet hitting the ground well? Is this a good pace? And lots and lots of self talk about not shirking the next effort (30s hard running, hill run etc etc).

Boring doesn't mean nothing to do. It means no interest in what is there.

Not shockingly, people good at setting somewhat mundane objectives and iterating on them are good at both intelligence and exercise. They probably feed each other. :)

Re: Training exercise boosts brain power, Johns Hopkins researchers say

#70

Post by 0xJRS »

bradlys wrote: post #41
noir_lord wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> In particular, exercise is boring. Very very boring. I regularly spend 2-4hrs on a road bike and I've never found it boring and I have a low boredom threshold generally (outside of programming). It's just a case of finding your niche.

I couldn't do it. I've ridden my road bike for about 2 hours at a time at various points in life (outside of just commuting daily) and I just get bored out of my mind. I get bored biking to and from work. I take routes with a lot more traffic now because it keeps me more mentally engaged with not getting killed and I find myself less focused on the physical discomfort.

This is the biggest problem for me when biking/jogging and i've found that I can mix my meditation time with it but that only goes so far. I've thought of putting a treadmill in front of my TV so I can jog and watch a few episodes of a show to fix the boredom problem.
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