Run for Better Brain Health

Running has many beneficial functions, but is enhancing neuronal brain connectivity one of them? Research published online in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience looked at this question.

Using MRI scans, researchers examined resting-state functional connectivity in 11 male college cross country runners and compared them with age matched non-athletes.

MRI findings showed enhanced connectivity in the frontal-parietal network and deactivation in the default mode network of the runners. The authors hypothesize that this connectivity strength is consistent with improved executive cognitive functions and cognitive performance, and hypothesize that it may prevent or forestall cognitive decline.