Another key to later-in-life brain health is running’s role in lowering inflammation. Amyloid plaques are fibrous clumps of protein fragments that attach to the outside of cells and are thought to contribute to Alzheimer’s and other cognitive problems. Smith and Burns agree that regular running can help to remove these plaques and other toxic subst

So, when we’re designing a prescription for exercise, our goal should be to boost cardiorespiratory fitness for that person. Our data suggest that’s necessary to achieve the brain benefits.”

Many of the positive changes here described—increased BDNF levels, better-functioning neurotransmitter systems, growth in the hippocampus—are key to running providing short- and long-term relief from depression and anxiety.

Research has found better cognitive performance among fit people whether they’re school-aged, younger adults, middle-aged, or older adults. 6 These running-makes-you-smarter findings generally have to do with mental acuity during our sedentary hours.

such as a Spanish study that found aerobically fit subjects performed better than sedentary people on a test of sustained mental focus. 5

In discussing their findings, the researchers suggested that regular running seems to rewire our brains.

sedentary. After as little as six weeks of regular workouts, the exercisers improve their performance on several mental tests, including working memory (the ability to temporarily store and use information needed to carry out a task) and visuospatial processing (the ability to perceive and interact with what you see around you.

A Dutch study published in 2013 found that regular exercisers performed better on a creative problem-solving test when they did a short workout.

brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).