September 3, 2008

Sport improves brain functions

There is no doubt that being involved in sport can improve many functions of the brain, after all a sportsman will need to be alert and make snap decisions, but it is not necessarily just the people who actively take part in sport, fans can benefit too.

The concept of sport means that unlike watching TV where the viewer can sometimes fall asleep, being a spectator at a football match can be just as energetic as actually playing the game.

Research carried out by Sian Beilock, Associate Professor in Psychology at the University of Chicago shows that brain actually begins to switch into a planning and control mode when watching or competing in sport.

It is the non language sports that enhance the brain to understand what is going on all around, something that non active hobbies lack.

Source [Physorg]