Slow Running: Its Impact on Mood and Brain Function
Many people are familiar with the situation where, during a run, their legs barely move faster than a casual walk. It seems that such training is almost pointless.
However, new research shows that even very slow running can positively affect mood and brain function!
Researchers from the University of Tsukuba in Japan conducted an experiment involving 24 healthy young adults. Each participant spent 10 minutes on a treadmill, moving at a slow pace of about 3–6 kilometers per hour. The average heart rate during the exercise was 104–107 beats per minute.
After 10 minutes of running, participants reported a noticeable improvement in mood compared to the day they simply sat for the same duration. They felt more energetic and experienced more positive emotions.
Changes were also observed in brain function. After running, participants completed tasks testing their attention and ability to control their actions more quickly. During these tests, researchers monitored changes in blood oxygen levels on the surface of the brain.
This method is not as precise as an MRI, but it allows researchers to identify which areas of the brain are more active during specific tasks. After running, researchers found a stronger signal related to oxygen-rich blood in two areas of the left prefrontal cortex.
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The prefrontal cortex plays a crucial role in cognitive functions and mood regulation. Previous studies by the same group of researchers had already shown that 10 minutes of moderate-intensity running can enhance the activity of this brain area. The new study suggests that intense training is not necessary for a short-term effect.
Why does this happen?
Researchers are also considering several possible explanations for this result. One is that running activates certain neural networks associated with the prefrontal cortex. Another hypothesis relates to the movement of the head during running.
With each step, the head moves slightly up and down. Experiments on animals have shown that such rhythmic movements can mechanically affect the brain. In the new study, researchers found a connection between the acceleration of head movement during slow running and the expression of positive emotions in participants.
This factor explained only about 17% of the differences in mood improvement among participants. Therefore, researchers emphasize that head movement cannot yet be considered a proven cause of the positive effect.
Previously, studies on light physical activity and its effects on cognitive functions were often conducted using stationary bikes, as the intensity of such exercise is easier to control. However, during cycling, head movements may be less pronounced than during running, which could potentially affect the results.
Researchers also note that the ability to run in an upright position may have played a significant role in human evolution. Humans can cover long distances on two legs, which in the past helped them pursue prey over significant distances.
The authors of the study suggest that running may not just be one form of physical activity, but a fundamental form of human movement closely linked to brain function.
