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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

#71

Post by okreallywtf »

abakker wrote: post #35
sndean wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> 2-4hrs on a road bike and I've never found it boring Same here, which is a bit surprising whenever I think about it. Especially since I never listen to music/podcasts/anything, it's always the same place [0], and it's an out-and-back route only. But I hate driving, which seems like a relatively similar activity... no idea. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_%26_Old_Dominion_Ra...

If you need even more stimulation, Mountain Biking! With Audibooks! My preferred workout is climb with audiobook, descend with silence, rinse and repeat.

Its funny I have just started biking semi-seriously in the last year and I haven't even gotten to the point where I am even listening to music while I am getting my skills up. Do you listen to books riding singletrack? I find the challenge of singletrack at a reasonable speed (for myself, dog slow for most serious riders) is more than enough to keep me entertained.

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

#72

Post by Mc_Big_G »

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…

Unless you're competing and pushing for that last 5%, there's no need to rest 3-5 min. 1-1.5 min should be plenty except maybe the last set or 2 if you're really going for it.

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

#73

Post by okreallywtf »

mamon wrote: post #42
tgb wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I used to think that running was boring and that I'd do more of it if it were less boring. At the time I was running on a treadmill while watching a TV show. But every time I hit the end of my run and went into the 5 minute cooldown, I'd find myself becoming engrossed in the show and not want to end. The difference? I wasn't exercising as hard any more. I was getting tired, not bored. Now I run outside for sometimes…

One great alternative to running are team sports like soccer or basketball. You can get cardiovascular excercise similar to HIIT training, while also having fun. The downside being that injuries can happen more often than during jogging.

Yeah, when playing soccer for fitness you really need to think about how you are going to play because it can be easy to get hurt. Sometimes when I am hurt I play my best because I play smarter and don't overextend. Position yourself well and be strategic and sometimes you'll be better than if you go all out physically.

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

#74

Post by dkersten »

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 video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsVzKCk066g and this book https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0316113514/ref=as_li_tl?ie... suggest that it’s movement.

They talk about how complex movement in creatures typically correlates with the size of the brain.

Anecdotally, I’ve been doing the Cambridge Brain Sciences[1] tests every so often over the past few months to see how various things affect my score (mainly because I wanted to see which nootropics were most effective) and the best scores always occurred on days where I got exercise and the worst scores were in days where I didn’t and also got little sleep.

My absolute best scores (99.5 percentile, although the next days scores were much, much lower and my average has been about 50-60ish) were on a day when I got approx 1.5 hours of brisk walking (throughout the day, not all at once), 8+ hours sleep the night before and I had been taking nootropics. I imagine diet also plays a part, but I’ve not yet experimented. I’m also not sure f sleep or exercise affects me most positive, but together they certainly make a huge difference.

Nothing conclusive, for sure, but it does make me think that exercise/movement may play a big part.

[1] https://cambridgebrainsciences.com

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

#76

Post by tomsthumb »

taeric wrote: post #66
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…

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 th…

You could try jiu-jitsu. I've yet to meet a person who could honestly say that getting choked out is "boring".

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

#77

Post by arkades »

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…

I don’t know about that.

I loathe endurance exercises - I regularly combine a book -and- music to get me through the treadmill.

However, I love meditating and archery (which I do traditional style, which is honestly a form of meditation itself.)

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

#78

Post by pm90 »

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…

On the contrary, lifting weights has been one of the most fruitful additions to my life. I started around 5 years ago and it visibly changed my body in a year; something which I've wanted for a long time. Every time, its a thrill to be able to lift more weights, to complete the reps and know that I'm stronger than I was a month ago.

I'm guessing what bothers you the most is the idea of doing the same thing over and over again, which is a fair criticism. Generally I listen to a podcast. In the beginning, I used to go with a friend so it didn't become too boring.

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

#79

Post by arkades »

Bartweiss wrote: post #10

This is interesting, and kind of odd. The article claims the failure of previous brain-training studies came from choosing the wrong techniques, but the evidence on dual n-back specifically has been conflicted for quite a while; this isn't the first study on it. What's interesting here is that a lot of the best results on dual n-back in the past have concluded that it's mostly promising to fight cognitive decline or…

My understanding of the literature is largely that n-back training doesn’t generalize effectively, mostly just improving ones ability to perform n-back exercises.

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

#80

Post by ksk »

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.

Also, they used a mice model. Even otherwise, assuming the study showed it to be the case in humans as well, that means absolutely nothing. Science simply presents a theory that fits a particular data-set. It doesn't mean its an established fact, or that it applies to your particular biology, or even that the effect is seen in every person.
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