A recent study suggests that even a brief, gentle jog of just 10 minutes may positively impact mood and cognitive function. Conducted by researchers from the University of Tsukuba in Japan, the study indicates that minimal exercise, such as a slow run, can provide cognitive and mood benefits without the need for vigorous workouts.
Read More
The study, published in the journal Imaging Neuroscience, involved 24 healthy young adults, comprised of 13 men and 11 women, aged around 20 years. None of the participants had any health conditions, were nonsmokers, right-hand dominant, had normal vision, and maintained a healthy body mass index (BMI).
Participants engaged in two separate sessions on different days: one where they rested for 10 minutes and another where they jogged at a slow pace of 3-6 kilometers per hour, which is about 35% of their maximum exertion. Prior to and following both sessions, they completed assessments for mood and cognitive function.
Researchers measured cognitive performance using an event-related version of the color-word Stroop task, while mood was evaluated with the two-dimensional mood scale, which incorporates various emotional descriptors. The study also included a two-minute run to assess head movement dynamics.
Post-exercise results indicated significant improvements in mood, notably enhanced alertness and feelings of pleasure, along with better reaction times in the cognitive tests. Additionally, elevated blood oxygen levels were observed in two areas of the left prefrontal cortex after jogging compared to resting.
Vernon Williams, a sports neurologist who was not involved in the study, acknowledged the findings as providing insight into short-term cognitive benefits even with low levels of physical activity, countering previous beliefs that only higher intensity workouts offer substantial mental health benefits.
The researchers propose that the slight head movements during gentle jogging may facilitate mental wellness, as supported by previous studies suggesting that head movements can enhance brain cell function related to learning and mood.
While the study has limitations, including its small sample size and focus on healthy young adults, it encourages further exploration into the effects of slow running compared to other activities like walking. Williams noted the unclear mechanisms behind the reported cognitive benefits may still be associated with increased blood flow to the frontal lobe during physical activity.
Overall, the study adds to the growing body of evidence that any form of movement can benefit both physical and mental health, emphasizing the importance of finding activities that can easily be integrated into daily routines.