Does Music Make Exercise More Effective?
Although any form of exercise is better than none, “brisk” exercise seems to be particularly good for the heart and brain.
So if you are one of the millions who made the resolution to be more active, perhaps up-tempo music can help you achieve that beneficial “briskness”? In an experiment for Trust Me I’m A Doctor, we looked at if it can work.
Unlike a gentle stroll, a brisk walk is more likely to increase blood flow to your brain and also to lead to the release of a hormone called BDNF (brain derived neurotrophic factor). BDNF helps stimulate the production of new brain cells, something which is certainly useful as you get older.
Brisk walkers would also appear to live longer than those who prefer a more leisurely stroll.
Excerpted from BBC
