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Our brain – a master in coordination
The brain, which weighs some 1500 g (3 lb) is protected by three layers called meninges and equipped with blood vessels. Almost two-thirds of the brain is made up of the two hemispheres of the cerebrum, which are linked together by the corpus callosum. The left hemisphere of the brain is responsible for functions such as logical thinking and language, whereas the right hemisphere is responsible for musicality, creativity and spatial perception. Each half controls the movements on the opposite side of the body, i.e. the left half controls the right side and vice versa. The cerebrum itself is enclosed by the cerebral cortex which is 3 mm thick.
The thalamus (interbrain) is the “gateway to consciousness”. It acts as a filter and decides what information is transmitted to the cerebrum and so reaches our conscious level. The hypothalamus controls the autonomic, unconscious nervous system (body temperature, blood pressure) and together with the pituitary gland (hypophysis) controls the hormone balance.
The cerebellum (little brain) controls all movements and together with the balance organ in the inner air, maintains balance. The hindbrain controls vital functions such as breathing and circulation. It is also involved in reflex- like, unconscious functions such as swallowing, coughing or sneezing.
The spinal cord is the data motorway: nerves run through it from the brain to muscles and organs and back. Together with the brain it forms the central nervous system (CNS). Emanating from the spinal cord are nerves that branch out into the body – these nerves are part of the peripheral nervous system. This system consists of the sensory nerves, which carry messages such as hot and cold from the sensory cells to the spinal cord and brain and the motor nerves, which transmit commands from the brain and spinal cords to the muscles. The autonomic nervous system is an involuntary system, i.e. cannot be influenced. It controls breathing, circulation, digestion, metabolism, glandular activity and secretions.
Why does your brain benefit when you exercise your body? Find out more below.
What is the actual effect of Kieser Training on …
… nerve cells?
The brain and spinal cord is made up of more than 100 billion nerve cells (neurons). Each neuron is made up of a body and a nerve process (axon) that can be up to 1 metre long. Axons transmit electrical signals. In addition to the axon, one neuron can have many other processes, which are known as dendrites and are responsible for communication between individual neurons.
The synapses provide the connection with other neurons, muscle fibres and glands. When a synapse receives an electrical impulse, chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) are released. These messengers pass through the synaptic cleft and so reach the target organs: muscle fibres, endocrine glands or other nerve cells. In this way, they control our hormonal balance, trigger muscle contractions and ensure active communication with other neurons: one neuron can have up to 10,000 interfaces with other neurons and in total there are about one trillion of these interfaces.
The entire system can be likened to a telephone network equipped with numerous branch lines. If the individual branch lines are used frequently and intensively, the connections become “more stable”. In contrast, if they are not used, the lines are shut down.
However, is our ability to think and remember just a case of intensive brain use? It’s not that simple! Although the principle of “use it or lose it” also applies to the brain, “thinking” on its own is not enough to kick start the central nervous system.
Recent brain research has shown that physical loads and exertion are the strongest stimuli in terms of the development of neurons and increasing their performance. Brain researchers have discovered that the various factors required for neuron growth are only produced in sufficient quantity if the body is subject to a minimum level of physical exertion. Firstly, it stimulates the formation of the proteins required for neuron development and secondly, it increases the production of the messengers that transmit the nerve signals. Overall, these growth factors not only produce more cells but also produce more branches, i.e. data connections between cells. The flow of information improves and we think more quickly and creatively.
This refutes the idea that brain performance declines with age and that this decline is something that cannot be influenced. With brain training, a good diet, exercise and strength training, we can stimulate the build-up and activity of neurons to an advanced age.
Doctor’s Tip
What can we do about dementia?
Dr. Michael Karl Eichler
Specialist in Neurosurgery and
Sports Medicine, Fulda
Dementia – the term comes from Latin and means “without mind” – is a progressive loss of intellectual capacity, e.g. reasoning, memory or even personality changes. In the majority of cases, Alzheimer’s disease or the vascular destruction of cerebral tissue is the result of so-called vascular dementia. Hybrid versions are frequent. Dementia is often associated with a loss of motor function and independence and so is the most likely reason why the elderly will need care.
According to WHO statistics, there are currently some 24.3 million dementia sufferers worldwide and the number of new sufferers each year is 4.6 million. A study entitled “Training for Dementia” published by experts from the Network for Ageing Research at the University of Heidelberg found that strength training improved cognitive function and significantly enhanced general quality of life. These findings support the results of research by other international groups who have published similar results in recent years, in particular in 2008 as part of a comprehensive meta analysis.
The Heidelberg researchers found that strength training improved the faculty of reasoning in people with dementia as well as their perception. It also stabilised their mental state. At the same time, it improved their motor system and physical activation and reduced the risk of falls. Strength training can, therefore bring about a significant improvement in both physical and mental performance, slow down progression of the illness and maintain independence. There is no need for sufferers simply to accept the disease as fate. By doing targeted strength training, they can actively influence its course.
References
Etgen, T., Sander, T., Huntgeburth, U., Poppert, H., Förstl, H., Bickel, H. (2010). Physical Activity and Incident Cognitive Impairment in Elderly Persons: The INVADE Study. Archives of Internal Medicine, 170 (2), 186-193.
Ferri, C.P., Prince, M., Brayne, C. et al. (2005). Global prevalence of dementia: a Delphi consensus study. The Lancet, 366 (9503), 2112-2117.
Heyn, P.C., Johnson, K.E., Kramer, A.F. (2008). HYPERLINK "http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18548179" Endurance and strength training outcomes on cognitively impaired and cognitively intact older adults: a meta-analysis. Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging, 12 (6), 401-409.
Jedrziewski, M.K., Lee, V., Trojanowski, J.Q. (2007). Physical Activity and Cognitive Health. Alzheimer's & Dementia 3(2), 98-108. Santana-Sosa, E., Barriopedro, M.I., López-Mojares, L.M., Pérez, M., Lucia, A. (2008). HYPERLINK "http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18401810" Exercise training is beneficial for Alzheimer's patients. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 29 (10), 845-850.
Schwenk, M., Zieschang, T., Oster, P., Hauer, K. (2010). Dual-Task performances can be improved in patients with dementia. A randomised controlled trial. Neurology, 74 (24), 1961-1968.
