Amidst all the chaos and destruction in the world, science is still happening (although the funding situation is also chaotic and destructive, but never mind that for the moment). Interesting questions are being asked, tested, and interesting answers are being given. Here are some of them (mostly courtesy of Sam, who sends these to me– thanks, Sam!)
Question: Does exercise result in a net calorie reduction, or does the body compensate to balance things out?
Answer: we don’t know yet. But, a bunch of scientists are hard at work testing different active subpopulations (from Tanzanian Hadza hunter-gatherers to American collegiate cross country runners) to look for ways that human metabolism responds to energy output. This article from Outside magazine gives a detailed and accessible overview of recent research on the topic.
Good news: even if exercise doesn’t result in a ton of extra calories burned (if that’s your goal), it still results in other good things, like increased longevity, better sleep and overall well-being.
Question: Does cycling make you smarter?
Answer: Maybe, in some ways, for a little bit. Here’s what this article in The Cycling Week magazine had to say about it:
A study published in the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research found that people scored significantly higher on memory, reasoning, and planning tests after just 30 minutes of spinning on a stationary bike.
This effect is primarily linked to the production of a protein called BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor). BDNF acts like a fertilizer for your brain, helping to grow new cells and protecting existing ones from decay.
Essentially, every mile you ride is an investment in your brain’s structural integrity and future processing speed.
Yay! Does cycling do anything else good to your brain? The article also cites research results suggesting that cycling promotes lower dementia risk, increased neurogenesis (creation of neurons in the hippocampus) and psychological resilience (this last one is less surprising if you’ve tackled big hills at very low speed, as I have).
Question: Can exercise help reduce my cancer risk?
Answer: yes, a bit. But the research study supporting this is small and very preliminary. Here’s the deal, from an article in Men’s Health magazine:
The researchers looked at 30 men and women between the ages of 50 and 78. All met the criteria for having extra weight or obesity. Each person underwent a short but intense cycling test that lasted about 10 minutes.
Afterward, the researchers collected blood samples from everyone and analyzed them for 249 proteins. Thirteen of the 249 proteins increased after exercise. This included interleukin-6, which helps to repair damaged DNA. Exercise raised the levels of other molecules in the blood that work to reduce inflammation, support blood vessel health, and improve metabolism.
According to the researchers, the evidence showed that 10 minutes of exercise was enough to support DNA repair to lower colon cancer risk. Though keep in mind, these were short but intense bursts of exercise. A slow, leisurely stroll wouldn’t qualify.
There are a bunch of things we don’t know, like what is the amount of reduced risk, and what is the variation in different subpopulations. Plus a bunch of other relevant factors that may influence the effects. Still, it’s good news.
Happy week, everyone, and enjoy some movement!