We all know exercise is good for us, but that doesn’t always mean we like it. It’s difficult to find the motivation to run a few miles after work, or to spend a Saturday morning in the park instead of on the couch. Admittedly, cardiovascular fitness isn’t always on the top of our to-do list. But the impact it has on our memories just might convince you to start making it a priority.
Previous research has explored the beneficial effects aerobic exercises can have on your memory over a period of several months. But a new study shows that you can get the same benefits in a significantly shorter time period — and you don’t necessarily have to resign yourself to endless miles on the treadmill.
Researchers examined how resistance exercises, such as weightlifting, affect memory. Forty-six participants were recruited for the study and were shown a series of 90 images on a computer screen. They were asked to remember as many of the pictures as they could. Then, participants were assigned to two groups at random — one passive, one active. Both groups were seated at leg exercise machines, but only the active group received instructions to perform the exercise 50 times at maximum effort. The passive group was told to sit and let the machine move their legs, exerting little-to-no effort.
The study found that members of the active group recalled about 60 percent of the original images, compared with just 50 percent in the passive group. Researchers suggest that people are more likely to remember things following periods of short-term stress — in this case, the leg exercises.
So next time you have to remember something, try incorporating a little exercise into your memorization routine. A sweatier study time could be your ticket to success.