Does a tired brain mean a tired body?
July 2nd 2011 21:21
You're more likely to finish your workout by saying "Boy, that was a breeze!" if you do this first: rest your mind.
Why? Because research suggests that a tired mind means a tired body. Exercisers in a study had a harder time with their workouts when their brains were fatigued.
Brain Strain
The men and women in the study were given two different preworkout activities on different days. Before one workout, they were asked to complete a tedious and time-intensive computer task that demanded close attention and quick responses. On another day, their preworkout activity consisted of relaxing in front of documentary films on relatively uncomplicated topics. Ultimately, the study participants reported much more fatigue during the workout following the computer task. They also reached their point of exhaustion more quickly.
Mind over Matter
It isn't clear exactly how this mind/body fatigue connection worked, but researchers suspect that mental exhaustion messes with the workings of dopamine, an important brain chemical that affects your sense of motivation and your perception of effort. So plan your workout accordingly. A first-thing-in-the-morning walk may mean a better workout than waiting until the end of the work day.
From: Real Age - available free on the web
| 29 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
subscribe to this blog
