Exercise Smarter with These Science Insights!

These Science Insights Are Really Interesting. You’ll Improve How You Exercise!

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Here are 5 fascinating science insights to help motivate you and get more from your exercise.

You Should Warm Up Before and After Exercise, Right?

That’s what I always heard! That way, you’ll avoid aching limbs the following day or injuries during sport. But is this true? Well, interestingly, no it’s not!

Several new studies show that if you enjoy stretching before exercise, you’re fine to carry on, but it probably won’t help much. All the evidence points towards little difference in muscle recovery or injury prevention. Fascinating!

Exercise Boosts Your IQ

Children who walk to schoolwalking benefits - clarity concentrate better and get better test results.

Older people who enjoy mild exercise are half as likely to suffer from cognitive impairments – in other words, if you keep moving as you get older, you reduce your risk of dementia and other brain fade issues.

Why? It’s thought that when you exercise, you get more blood to the brain, which keeps the brain in better shape (growth of neurons, release of neurotransmitters and hormones in the brain).

Music Helps (but perhaps not in the way you think it does)

I find I do more exercise if I listen to upbeat music – do you? I always thought it was because I was enjoying the music so much that it distracted me from my workout. But it seems that the rhythm of the music may help with how you time your actions, thus making exercise easier.

Interestingly, music helps to motivate you if you’re exercising alone, but not in team sports.

 


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Do You Cramp? What’s the Science Insight?

I’ve always heard that cramps are caused by a lack of salt. But in fact, the cause of cramps is a bit of a mystery. Some studies show that cramps are more likely to occur in hot weather, and that ties in with the theory that they are caused by low salt levels, lost through sweat. But – athletes in cold climates get cramp too.

So the best advice if you are suffering from cramp is to stretch it out. There’s no need to increase levels of sodium or salt.

Do Special Running Shoes Help?

boost energy with exerciseKeen runners often buy personalised running shoes, being told how much they “pronate” when running (or not). Does it matter?

Well, there is almost no evidence for the benefits of specialised footwear! And what’s more, there’s very little evidence that running on hard surfaces leads to more injuries. (But you’re still going to see adverts from footwear manufacturers about their better support and injury prevention).

Conclusion

So, now that you know these interesting science insights, you can save time (no warming up), save money (by not buying personalised shoes), and you don’t need to change your salt intake if you cramp. Meanwhile, continue to keep moving to boost your IQ and use music to help you do so!

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Warm regards,

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P.S.  Don’t forget to download your FREE recipes for yummy smoothies that will keep you feeling full!  Click here.  


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efficient exercise, exercise, exercise science, fitness, science insights into exercise


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