Sources (aim for an array of trustworthy sources):
1. YouTube :
a. How Does Exercise Affect My Brain – Lana Holt (trainer)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zR0jJxwB52I
b. Dr. John Ratey on Exercise & Learning – The Agenda with Steve Paikin (TV
journal interview)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5-kbfnCq6M
c. Exercise and the Brain by Lucy Lepeley - lepeleyacademy (TV journal special
report)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiLMzFo9TO4
d. Science fair Train Your Brain with Exercise! – kev4069 (Science fair
experiment. Good for knowing what chemicals are released)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYxrfA5N8_8
e. TEDxOrlando - Wendy Suzuki - Exercise and the Brain: Extended Dance Mix
Version – TEDxTalks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QV9Njo1ZcRU
f. Run, Jump, Learn! How Exercise can Transform our Schools: John J. Ratey,
MD at TEDxManhattanBeach – TEDxTalks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBSVZdTQmDs
g. Nurturing Your Child's Early Brain Development – tvoparents (TV journal
interview, dealing with infants)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4ZomIKxRNE
h. Why do kids do better in school after exercise? – David Sladkey (release of
chemicals)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oac1qPgDuuc
2. Scholarly articles:
 Browsed through 10+ items
Need to review and select relevant items
NOTES:
● aerobic exercise
● brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)
○ important for neuronal survival, differentiation and synaptic plasticity
○ exercise increases number of BDNF in hippocampal and cerebral cortex of
rats
○ increase capillary blood suppy to cortex and growth of new neurons
(neurogenesis) and synapses, resulting in better learning and performance.
● neuroplasticity - ability to change
● synaptic plasticity
●
●
●
●
●
○ strength of connections between neurons as a result of synaptic pruning?
neurogenesis
○ creation of new neurons
exercise affects synaptic plasticity in hippocampus (BDNF mediates hippocampal
plasticity)
promotes neurogenesis
improves memory, learning, spatial learning, cognition performance, executive
functioning in prefrontal cortex
affects hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex
QUESTION:
STRUCTURE (DRAFT):
1. Adult Brain
a. Define aerobic exercise in terms of how it affects the brain and what areas of
the brain are affected by exercise.
b. areas that affect brain
i. hippocampus
ii. prefrontal cortex
c. BDNF - what is it? how does it affect brain and improve cognitive function
i. neuroplasticity
ii. synaptic plasticity - long term potentiation
iii. neurogenesis
iv. gene expression
d. What improvements in cognitive function?
i. improved attention
ii. learning and memory
iii. decrease stress levels/anxiety
iv. increase motivation
2. Children Brain in Comparison
a. Girls
b. Boys
3. Implications to real life practises
a. School/Education
b. Brief evaluation of conclusion
c. Other factors that could perhaps impact cognitive functions to consider
TEXTBOOK: