How does exercise impact mental health?

Exercise supports mental health by improving mood, cognition, brain function, and long-term brain health.

1. Blood flow and osteocalcin: Getting fitter through cardiovascular exercise increases blood flow to the brain. When bones experience mechanical stress during exercise, they release osteocalcin, which reaches the brain and can encourage the growth of neurons and their connections in the hippocampus. 1

2. Cardiovascular fitness and neurogenesis: Exercise-related BDNF supports the growth of new hippocampal brain cells. Better cardiovascular fitness may also indirectly support neurogenesis in the hippocampal dentate gyrus. 2 3

3. Short-term effects: A single aerobic workout can boost mood and improve prefrontal function, reaction time, and focused attention; measured benefits lasted up to two hours after exercise. 4

4. Regular aerobic exercise and long-term brain health: Exercise releases dopamine, serotonin, noradrenaline, and BDNF. Regular BDNF supports new hippocampal brain cells and may help delay the effects of dementia on memory. 5

5. Mindset: Beliefs about exercise can influence the benefits people experience; learning about exercise’s positive effects may help people derive greater benefit from it. 6