A new study shows that leg exercises are crucial for brain health.

According to the study, leg muscle exercises help the brain produce new nerve cells. These findings will assist researchers in better understanding how neurological diseases and motor neuron diseases progress. It is already known that there are many physical changes in astronauts and individuals confined to bed for extended periods. Now, it has been revealed that these changes stem from the impact on the muscles and nervous system (neuromuscular system). It is well known that there is a strong connection between movement and the brain.

The brain's motor cortex sends signals to the spinal cord for muscle contraction. What is interesting is that when parts of the brain responsible for movement are damaged, the brain tries to "repair" this damage using its neuroplasticity. Recently, many studies have focused on the effects of physical activity on brain health. For example, some research indicates that exercise triggers neurogenesis, the process by which the brain produces new nerve cells. A new study published in Frontiers in Neuroscience investigates how neural stem cells are affected by restricted leg movements. According to scientists, this study could change the way we view brain and nervous system health and provide insights into why diseases like multiple sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophy, and other neurological disorders progress when movement is limited. Dr. Raffaella Adami from Milan University in Italy supports the idea that patients confined to bed, long-distance travelers, or astronauts in low-gravity environments not only experience muscle loss but also undergo changes in their body chemistry at the cellular level, which negatively affects the nervous system.

The study was conducted using mice with restricted use of their hind legs. During the study, the mice continued to eat normally and did not display stress behaviors. At the end of the study, researchers examined the subventricular zone, an important area for nerve cell health and neural stem cell differentiation into nerve cells. They found that mice with restricted physical activity had 70% fewer neural stem cells in this area compared to control mice that were free to move. Moreover, when exercise was severely reduced, both neurons and oligodendrocytes, whose main role is to protect nerve cells, were found to be underdeveloped. The research shows that legs, especially in weightlifting exercises, send signals to the brain for the production of healthy neural cells necessary for brain and nervous system health. Ceasing exercise makes it harder for the body to produce new nerve cells, which play a major role in stress management.

The researchers examined cells individually to gain more insight. They found that low exercise levels reduce oxygen levels in the body, creating an anaerobic environment and altering metabolism. Reducing exercise affects two genes, one of which, the CDK5Rap1 gene, has significant effects on mitochondria. These findings may shed light on a variety of issues, ranging from the effects of a sedentary lifestyle on cardiovascular health to more destructive diseases such as spinal muscular atrophy, multiple sclerosis, and motor neuron diseases. Dr. Adami emphasizes the importance of staying physically active, which can be achieved through walking, dancing, or exercises that engage our leg muscles. Dancing, walking, climbing stairs, playing tennis, and weightlifting are exercises that challenge gravity and are important for brain health. So, keep exercising!