Psychological, Emotional, and Psychological, Emotional, and Cognitive Effects of ExerciseCognitive Effects of Exercise

Angela Smith-Senior Recreation ProgrammerAngela Smith-Senior Recreation ProgrammerAdam Hege-Recreation ProgrammerAdam Hege-Recreation Programmer

Hickory Parks and RecreationHickory Parks and Recreation

Sedentary AmericaSedentary AmericaSeventy-five percent of Americans do Seventy-five percent of Americans do not even get the recommended 30 not even get the recommended 30 minutes a day of exerciseminutes a day of exerciseOver the last 25 years, the childhood Over the last 25 years, the childhood obesity rate has doubled and obesity rate has doubled and continues to risecontinues to riseThe CDC has declared the obesity The CDC has declared the obesity epidemic as the most problematic epidemic as the most problematic public health issue in Americapublic health issue in America

Sedentary AmericaSedentary America

Dr. Kenneth Cooper, one of the Dr. Kenneth Cooper, one of the country’s foremost experts on country’s foremost experts on physical activity says, “In Texas, we physical activity says, “In Texas, we may have the first generation in may have the first generation in which the parents will outlive their which the parents will outlive their kids. Obese children who develop kids. Obese children who develop diabetes before 14 years of age can diabetes before 14 years of age can expect their lifespan to be reduced expect their lifespan to be reduced by 17 to 29 years.”by 17 to 29 years.”

John J. Ratey, MDJohn J. Ratey, MDWell-known psychiatrist from HarvardWell-known psychiatrist from Harvard

His research focuses on the mind-body His research focuses on the mind-body relationship relationship

Recently published book, Recently published book, Spark: The Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain”the Brain”

Naperville District 203Naperville District 203Zero Hour PE, developed by Phil Lawler, a Zero Hour PE, developed by Phil Lawler, a Junior High P.E. teacherJunior High P.E. teacher

The mission is to teach fitness, not sportsThe mission is to teach fitness, not sports

The district consistently ranks among the The district consistently ranks among the state’s top ten academically in Illinoisstate’s top ten academically in Illinois

Their P.E. program is a model for everyone Their P.E. program is a model for everyone and teaches the positives of physical and teaches the positives of physical fitness for everyonefitness for everyone

Exercise: Growing Your Brain CellsExercise: Growing Your Brain Cells

Exercise heightens a person’s Exercise heightens a person’s senses, their focus and mood are senses, their focus and mood are improved, they’re less tense, and improved, they’re less tense, and more motivatedmore motivatedJohn Ratey, says, “I tell people that John Ratey, says, “I tell people that going for a run is like taking a little going for a run is like taking a little bit of Prozac and a little bit of Ritalin bit of Prozac and a little bit of Ritalin because, like the drugs, exercise because, like the drugs, exercise elevates these neurotransmitters.”elevates these neurotransmitters.”

Exercise and StressExercise and StressStress is inevitable!!!Stress is inevitable!!!Exercise raises self-confidence and allows Exercise raises self-confidence and allows one to manage stress more efficientlyone to manage stress more efficientlyMost people’s main source of stress is Most people’s main source of stress is their workplace. Now more and more their workplace. Now more and more companies are getting on the bandwagon companies are getting on the bandwagon of keeping their workers healthy and more of keeping their workers healthy and more functional at work. functional at work. Exercise helps to keep your brain running Exercise helps to keep your brain running more smoothly. A more active body more smoothly. A more active body results in a healthier brain.results in a healthier brain.

AnxietyAnxietyAnxiety affects approximately 18 percent of the Anxiety affects approximately 18 percent of the American populationAmerican populationExercise has been proven to produce chemical Exercise has been proven to produce chemical changes within the bodychanges within the bodyWays in which exercise helps with anxiety:Ways in which exercise helps with anxiety:

1. It provides distraction.1. It provides distraction.2. It reduces muscle tension.2. It reduces muscle tension.3. It builds brain resources.3. It builds brain resources.4. It teaches a different outcome.4. It teaches a different outcome.5. It reroutes your circuits.5. It reroutes your circuits.6. It improves resilience. 6. It improves resilience. 7. It sets you free.7. It sets you free.

Improving Mood LevelsImproving Mood LevelsPsychologists and psychiatrists have Psychologists and psychiatrists have rated exercise as the number one rated exercise as the number one technique for improving one’s bad technique for improving one’s bad mood.mood.However, intensity, duration, and However, intensity, duration, and frequency of exercise can be frequency of exercise can be determining factors in relation to determining factors in relation to improving a person’s mood through improving a person’s mood through exercise.exercise.

Exercise and DepressionExercise and Depression

Exercise has been found to be as Exercise has been found to be as effective as psychotherapy for the effective as psychotherapy for the treatment of depressiontreatment of depression

Exercise is in itself an Exercise is in itself an antidepressant; however, it probably antidepressant; however, it probably is better as a preventative measure is better as a preventative measure than a treatment.than a treatment.

Exercise and ADHDExercise and ADHDJohn Ratey consistently uses exercise as John Ratey consistently uses exercise as his treatment form for patients suffering his treatment form for patients suffering from ADHDfrom ADHDPeople who suffer from ADHD are more People who suffer from ADHD are more active in general, but they actually many active in general, but they actually many time need more activity as a use for time need more activity as a use for distractiondistractionAs we already know, students who suffer As we already know, students who suffer from ADHD need a great deal of structure from ADHD need a great deal of structure in their lives and their school work. in their lives and their school work. Procrastination is a key issue!!Procrastination is a key issue!!

SourcesSourcesRatey, John J., MD. Ratey, John J., MD. Spark: The Revolutionary New Science Spark: The Revolutionary New Science

of Exercise and the Brain. of Exercise and the Brain. Little, Brown, and Company.Little, Brown, and Company.

2008.2008.

Shaw, John. The Deadliest Sin: Scientists probe the Shaw, John. The Deadliest Sin: Scientists probe the

benefits of exercise and the dangers of sloth. benefits of exercise and the dangers of sloth.

Harvard Magazine. Harvard Magazine. March-April 2004.March-April 2004.

Weinberg, Robert S. & Gould, Daniel. Weinberg, Robert S. & Gould, Daniel. Foundations of Sport Foundations of Sport

and Exercise Psychology. and Exercise Psychology. Human Kinetics. 4Human Kinetics. 4thth Edition. Edition.

2007. 398-411.2007. 398-411.