A groundbreaking MIT study has revealed how exercise doesn’t just strengthen muscles, but also stimulates the growth of neurons.
That exercise is good for you is now a fact, but now we have further proof of this because one study recent of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), published on Advanced Healthcare Materialsrevealed that thephysical exercise not only does it grow muscles, but it also stimulates the development of neurons.
As? Specifically, this innovative research observed that active muscles release biochemical molecules calls myokineswhich promote neuronal growth. Furthermore, the mechanical movement resulting from muscle contractions also contributes to the maturation of neurons.
The study
The experiments, conducted on muscle and neuronal cells, demonstrated that i neurons exposed to these myokines grow up to four times faster compared to unstimulated ones. Furthermore, physical movement itself – which involves neurons attached to muscles – showed comparable effects. This suggests that the benefits of exercise are both biochemical and mechanical.
The discovery could lead to innovative therapies for injuries or neurodegenerative diseasesfocusing on specific physical exercises to stimulate nerve regeneration and the restoration of motor functions.
Scientists already imagine practical applications for the treatment of patients with nerve damage or diseases such as Parkinson and the Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
This important research has demonstrated, therefore, that physical training produces not only biochemical effects, such as the production of beneficial molecules by the muscles, but also mechanical effects of great importance; in fact, since neurons are physically connected to muscles, during muscle contractions they stretch and move with them.
This movement is not only a consequence of the physical bond, but also acts as stimulus to promote neuronal growth. In conclusion, according to the researchers, the mechanical stimulation resulting from movement is just as relevant as the molecules released by the muscles, and this underlines how both factors work together to promote the development of neurons.
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