University of Tsukuba study finds light jogging boosts brain function

A study conducted by scientists at the University of Tsukuba, published in the journal Imaging Neuroscience, suggests that just ten minutes of light jogging can improve mood and executive brain function.

Researchers monitored 24 healthy young adults, comparing a 10-minute period of sitting still against 10 minutes of running on a treadmill at speeds between 3 and 6 kilometers per hour. During the exercise, participants maintained an average heart rate between 104 and 107 beats per minute.

Following the light jog, participants reported feeling more alert, experiencing greater pleasure, and feeling more lucid. Cognitive testing, specifically the Stroop test used to measure attention and self-control, showed improved performance and reaction times.

Using technology to monitor oxygenated hemoglobin levels, researchers observed increased activation in the left prefrontal cortex, a brain region associated with attention, behavioral control, and executive processes. One hypothesis suggested by the authors is that the rhythmic movement of the head during running may play a role in these neurological benefits.