Why Is Cardio Good for People with ADHD?
During an aerobic activity, your body requires more oxygen, which means your heart is pumping more blood to the brain. And more blood = more oxygen. More oxygen means that your brain cells are better-nourished, which can supercharge focus, the ability to learn, memory, and even emotional regulation, for 2 to 3 hours afterwards.
Specifically, scientists have linked vigorous, high-intensity workouts with more active brain cells. What does this have to do with ADHD? When the brain cells become more active, there is a surge in the production of a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). What?!
If you’ve never heard of BDNF, that’s okay! But this is the takeaway:
Exercise encourages your brain to produce a protein called BDNF.
BDNF is “associated with cognitive improvement and the alleviation of depression and anxiety,” according to a 2016 study published in eLife.
And here’s the important part: cardio workouts give the biggest boost to BDNF production.
Cardio helps in other ways too. Dr. Gimpel, a board-certified psychiatrist and neurologist and head of the Brain Power Clinic in Jerusalem also shares in the importance of cardio:
“Exercise alone increases levels of dopamine, which could improve concentration for hours after completion. But combine that exercise with a deep mental focus and patients may see even more positive results. I have businessmen that do not hold meetings unless they’re between 9 and 11 in the morning,” says Dr. Gimpel. “They go to the fitness center in the morning and create those perfect two hours of concentration without medication.”
So, the score:
Cardio: 1
Strength training: 0
