Doing physical exercise is key to enjoying good physical and mental health, and more and more studies are coming out that show the great benefits of being active. The latest, a Spanish study that has been published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition, has revealed that schoolchildren and adolescents who play sports have better academic performance, and this good habit has a positive impact on brain molecular function and endocrine tissue function. adipose.
In the research, which has been carried out by researchers from the University of Granada (UGR), these conclusions were reached thanks to the analysis of 103 children with an average age of 11, who were divided into two groups based on whether exercised after class or not, and nutritional intake, body composition, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, endocrine function of adipose tissue, biomarkers of brain molecular function, and hematological and biochemical data at the time were evaluated. from the beginning of the study and six months later.
The results of this work showed that regular physical exercise in childhood and adolescence, avoiding sedentary habits, could have benefits in the endocrine function of adipose tissue, in the molecular function of the brain and in academic performance.
Active children had higher levels of healthy brain biomarkers, including nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and irisin
The levels of proteins such as leptin, MCP-1, lipocalin-2, adipsin and PAI-1 were lower in the group of active children and adolescents in the tests carried out after six months. However, adiponectin and osteocrin were markedly increased in this group, which could indicate an improvement in the endocrine function of adipose tissue, reducing the risk of obesity.
58% of active children followed the Mediterranean diet
On the other hand, increases in biomarkers of healthy brain status, such as nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and irisin, were reported among those who engaged in regular vigorous physical activity, leading to great benefits in brain function and in the academic performance of children and adolescents of school age.
In the investigation, no statistically significant differences were found between the active and sedentary groups with respect to age, height and bone mass. Weight and body mass index (BMI) in the active group were lower than in the non-exercising group, showing higher levels of lean mass and less of fat mass.
58.68% of the children in the exercise group had a high adherence to the Mediterranean diet, compared to 46.32% of the inactive group. The exercise group was also more concerned that their diet included more fiber, vitamins B1, B2, B6, B12, D, niacin, folic acid, iron, zinc, selenium, and copper. Triglyceride and HDL cholesterol levels were higher in the exercise group at the end of the study.
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