Running can boost brain

Over 20,000 professionals gear up to make it a super Sunday

Over 20,000 runners are all set to participate in the annual Airtel Hyderabad Marathon which will be held on Sunday.

More people seem to be taking up running for the health benefits that it imparts. Neurologists say that running not only keeps the body fit but also keeps the mind agile.

Dr Rahul Nath, a neurologist says, “Running aids the circulation of blood in the brain, which improves the performance of brain cells. Due to this, the cognitive wheels of the brain work better, and memory and learning capabilities are increased.”

It is said that running, in the long term, helps keep the mind sharp. Dr Y. Venkatesh, a neurologist, says, “Running can make one’s mind more focused. Runners have specific goals in mind – the number of miles the need to run and the amount of time they have. Since running is a rhythmic exercise, it lets people think about dayto-day incidents simultaneously.”

“In this way, their minds start multitasking. Over a period of time, the mind adapts itself to perform multiple functions,” he added.

Many runners listen to music while running. Neurologists say that this can have a meditative effect and it can calm the mind which is otherwise fixated on a target. With training, the physical exertion that is experienced while running diminishes.

Runners say that a good run helps them put their worries to rest and achieve clarity.

Avinash Goud, a marathon runner, says, “I feel immensely relaxed after a good run. My mind seems to work better, and I can absorb more.”

Neurologists say that running helps the production of mood-enhancing chemicals such as endorphins. Senior Neurologist Dr Alok Ranjan says, “Running is a target-based exercise. People run for a certain number of kilometres at the end of which they feel a sense of accomplishment. Upon achieving its target, the brain produces good chemicals such as the brain-derived neurotrophic factor, endorphins and serotonin which boost the mood, increase the brain’s capacity and improve memory. This could be a reason why many regular runners are multilingual people. One’s memory power improves with the increased flow of oxygen, and the nerve cells also get repaired.”

Running is known to be a fulsome exercise as a runner’s mind is always focused.