Exercise for More Brainpower? A Science Experiment, SIMPLIFIED

Brianna Atkins
Aug 14
2 min read

Want a stronger brain as you age? 💪🏽 Science says movement might be the secret.

A study published in Brain, Behavior, and Immunity explored how daily exercise impacted aging rats — and the results were surprisingly powerful.

Let’s break it down in a way that actually makes sense (because science shouldn’t be boring):

🧠 What Are the Signs of Brain Aging?

As we age, our brains naturally slow down. One key sign? We produce fewer new nerve cells — especially in the hippocampus, the area tied to memory and learning.

This study also found that aging brains produce more of a hormone called leptin, which is linked to slower learning and memory decline.

💥 Can Exercise Actually Reverse That?

Kinda, yeah. In the study, aging rats who exercised daily for a few months:

Kept producing new nerve cells (aka a younger brain!)
Produced less leptin, a hormone connected to mental decline

Translation: exercise helped their brains act younger — not just look younger.

🧩 Bonus Brain Benefits from Daily Movement

The exercising rats didn’t just age better — they performed better:

💡 Improved memory
⚡ Faster learning
📌 Better recall of important information

That’s the kind of brain you want at any age.

👏🏽 The Takeaway (for Humans Like Us)

While this study was done on rats (not ladies like you), there’s human data to back this up too:

➡️ Adults 65+ who exercise regularly score higher on cognitive tests than those who don’t.

You don’t need hours in the gym. Just consistency. Start where you are, use what you have, and stay in motion.

🌟 Want to Start a Brain-Boosting Workout Routine?

Tap into free sustainable, strength-focused fitness with me on YouTube by subscribing to @W.O.M.A.N.L.Y. I design workouts that are realistic, and designed to make you feel strong — mentally and physically.

Begin your free, brain-boosting fitness journey today.

📚 Source:

Speisman, R. B., Kumar, A., Rani, A., Foster, T. C., & Ormerod, B. K. (2013). Daily exercise improves memory, stimulates hippocampal neurogenesis and modulates immune and neuroimmune cytokines in aging rats. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 28, 25–43.