Running In Groups Better For The Brain

NewsBot · Mar 16, 2006

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The Stress Of Running Alone, Running In Groups Better For The Brain

Many people struggle to maintain a regular exercise schedule on their own, but do better when they exercise with friends. In rats, exercising in groups is better for the brain as well, reports a study in the April issue of Nature Neuroscience.

Elizabeth Gould and colleagues study the effects of running on the generation of new neurons (neurogenesis) in the brains of adult rats housed in groups and in isolation. The authors report that running increases neurogenesis only when rats were housed in groups. However, in rats that run in social isolation, neurogenesis is suppressed.

Running caused similar elevations of the stress hormone corticosterone in isolated or group-housed rats, but only animals that ran alone were vulnerable to the negative influence of corticosterone on neurogenesis.

Moreover, individually housed runners showed higher levels of corticosterone in response to additional stress when compared to group-housed runners. Preventing the elevation in corticosterone levels in individually housed runners stimulated neurogenesis.

These results suggest that without social interaction, a normally beneficial experience can have negative effects on the brain.
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From Medical News Today

Kevin Kirby · Mar 16, 2006

NewsBot said:

Moreover, individually housed runners showed higher levels of corticosterone in response to additional stress when compared to group-housed runners. Preventing the elevation in corticosterone levels in individually housed runners stimulated neurogenesis.

These results suggest that without social interaction, a normally beneficial experience can have negative effects on the brain.
Click to expand...

Aahhh! This then explains my mental dysfunction.......all those years of running by myself over the past 20 years must be the explanation for all those abnormal personality traits I have seem to exhibit when I encounter podiatrists that don't understand basic mechanical concepts but still seem to have no problem cutting and moving around bones, cutting tendons and ligaments in the foot/ankle. Finally!! A solution!!........... I got to run more miles.....by myself! :p

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