Understanding Brain Activity During Movement
Discover how your brain works in conjunction with your body during movement and the benefits of exercise on brain health.
Kids are naturally curious, always asking questions that can lead to fascinating insights about the world. Boise State University boasts a large group of faculty and researchers dedicated to exploring these inquiries.
Today, we delve into an intriguing question posed by a child: “What happens in your brain when you move?” Clay Swanson, an assistant professor and director of the Neuromechanics Lab in the School of Kinesiology, has the answers.
How the Brain and Body Team Up
At Boise State, Swanson’s research focuses on neuromechanics, which examines how the brain, nerves, and muscles collaborate to facilitate our movements. His team specifically studies everyday actions like walking, balancing, and turning.
While these activities may appear simple, they require a sophisticated interaction between the brain and body. According to Swanson, with age, this coordination can become complicated, making routine activities progressively more difficult.
“Our research looks at how the brain manages these movements and whether practicing them can enhance balance and walking in older adults,” he states. “The goal is to help people remain mobile and confident throughout their lives.”
Movement’s Impact on Brain Function
Have you ever tried your hand at biking or shooting a basketball? Initially, it may have felt tough, leading to wobbles or missed shots. However, with persistence, you likely noticed improvement! But it's not just your muscles getting stronger—your brain is evolving, too.
Engaging in physical activities does more than develop muscle; it also fosters learning and brain health. Picture yourself on a soccer field: your teammate passes the ball, requiring you to sprint, dodge an opponent, and kick it toward the goal. What seems straightforward involves numerous brain functions:
- Your eyes track the ball's trajectory.
- Your brain calculates the best route to run, dispatching signals through your nerves to your muscles.
- Simultaneously, your muscles and inner ear communicate back to your brain, offering feedback on your balance as you move.
This intricate process occurs almost instantaneously, often without conscious thought. This phenomenon, termed motor control, illustrates how the nervous system collaborates with the brain to generate movement. Remarkably, the more you practice these actions, the more adept your brain becomes at coordinating them. Activities such as dancing, sports, or even simple balance exercises present excellent chances for brain development.
The Science of Neuroplasticity
Neuroplasticity is the brain's remarkable ability to reorganize itself by forming new connections between nerve cells as you learn and move. Consider the challenge of learning to ride a bike. Initially, every turn and balance adjustment takes focused thought, but over time, it becomes automatic—a testament to your brain’s learning process.
This is why repetition is crucial; it fortifies the neural connections involved in a skill. However, the benefits of physical activity extend beyond just mastering new movements. Research shows regular exercise enhances attention, memory, and mood, contributing to overall cognitive health.
Moving your body boosts alertness and concentration. The best part is, you don’t need to be an elite athlete to reap these rewards. Activities like walking, riding a bike, dancing, or playing games can keep you active. Doing something you love makes it easier to stay engaged!
Experience Your Brain and Body in Action
Want to see how your brain collaborates with your body? Try standing on one foot for ten seconds while holding onto something sturdy. Now, attempt this again while gently turning your head or even closing your eyes. Does it feel more challenging?
This difficulty arises because your brain is processing signals from your eyes, muscles, and inner ears to maintain balance, and altering your line of sight presents a new challenge! While engaging in activities like running, climbing, or picking up a new sport, remember: you're doing more than just strengthening your muscles. You're giving your brain vital opportunities to learn, too!
Learn More
To expand your understanding of how movement affects brain function, check out these resources:
- Interactive 3D Brain by Brain Facts
- Health Benefits of Physical Activity for Children – CDC
- Performing Complex Movements – BrainFacts
- Why Short Breaks Help You Learn – NIH
- Brain Circuit Rewiring During Motor Learning – NIH