Study shows that physical exercise improves brain performance

In a unique experiment, ASICS invited competitive gamers from around the world, who specialize in brain games like chess and esports, and who rely on their cognitive function, to start an exercise program. After four months of regular exercise, their minds sharpened significantly and they performed at an even higher competitive level.

Participants’ international gaming rankings improved by an incredible 75%, proving once again the close interplay between our minds and bodies. The cognitive function of gamers mentally boosted by 10%, on average, with problem-solving skills improved by 9%, short-term memory increased by 12%, and processing speed improved and alertness by 10%.

Group confidence levels increased 44%, concentration improved 33%, and anxiety levels plummeted 43%. Research shows that exercise can be just as effective in boosting brain function as learning a second language, reading every day, playing a new musical instrument, or completing a daily puzzle.

The teacher Brendon Stubbs, a renowned researcher of movement and mind, developed and directed the experiment. Each player followed a training program designed by the runner who became an international coach, Andrew Kastor. The program included medium-impact strength and cardio training and increased the players’ exercise levels to 150 minutes per week. Professor Stubbs measured the mental improvement of the participants based on their performance on their brain games, cognitive tests and well-being questionnaires over the course of his four-month research period.

Analyzing the results, Professor Brendon Stubbs commented: “We all know that exercise is good for our mental and physical health, but the impact on cognitive functioning has been less explored. We wanted to examine the effects of exercise in people who rely on their cognitive abilities: competitive mental gamers. Our results show significant improvements in their cognitive functioning, including concentration levels and problem-solving skills.”

The specialist also added: “Exercise stimulates cell growth in the brain and rapidly increases blood flow to the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, mechanisms that allow us to better retain memories, process information and quickly solve problems. If exercise can significantly increase the mental performance of professional mind gamers, imagine what it could do for the rest of us. From increasing focus when revising for a test or improving alertness before a work presentation, exercise can really improve brain power.”

In addition to showing that exercise improved participants’ cognitive function and gaming abilities, Professor Stubbs also found that players’ mental well-being was significantly improved, cWith an average mental state improvement of 31%. The average mood score of the players at the start of the study was 58% below average and at the end it was 76%, demonstrating the significant impact that exercise can also have on your mental well-being.

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Courtesy: Asics

The head coach of the studio, Andrew Kastor, who developed the training programs for the players, stated: “These results are amazing and speak to the power of exercise. Many of the players could not jog for more than a minute at the start of the study, so their training programs had to be moderate. 150 minutes a week sounds like a lot, but when you break it down, it could be 5 sets of 30 minutes. Regardless of your fitness levels, the mental benefits of exercise are accessible to everyone.”

Inspired by the experiment, a camera crew followed four competitive players as they exercised regularly to improve their ranking on the international stage. The result was a groundbreaking new documentary, “Mind Games: The Experiment“narrated by internationally renowned actor and mental health advocate, Stephen Fry.

The feature film documents the journeys of four players Kassa Korley, Ryoei Hirano, Ben Pridmore and Sherry Nhan, who specialize in chess, mahjong, memory and Esports while competing in professional tournaments around the world. Watch the trailer for the documentary here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/16CBr10Ui1XuNsI4WFKXPBocbMnKpMbA6/view

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Gary RaucherEVP of ASICS EMEA said: “Our founding philosophy is literally in our name, Anima Sana In Corpore Sano or Sound Mind in Sound Body. We’ve always encouraged the use of exercise for both physical and mental benefits, but this is the first time we’ve explored its true impact on cognitive functioning. ‘Brain Games: The Experiment’ shows the power of exercise to sharpen the mind and we hope that after watching the documentary everyone (regardless of age, body type or fitness level) will be inspired to get moving and help stimulate your brain ”.

“Mind Games: The Experiment” It will be available soon on Amazon Prime Video.