Forgot what you just learnt? Try running after each period of learning.
According to the findings of a new study, a student’s choice of activity post a session of learning has a direct effect on his/her ability to memorize information.
The study
For the purpose of the study, Researchers at the University of Applied Sciences, Upper Austria asked 60 students aged 16-29 to memorize a range of information.
Post learning session they were split into three groups – first group to played a violent computer game, second group went for a run and the third group spent time outside.
Findings of the study revealed that running was the best thing to boost memory.
According to the researchers, stress hormone cortisol plays a major role in our ability to remember things. However, this ability is dependent upon the trigger factor of the hormone.
In case the stress is caused due to psychological reasons, it impairs our memory. On the other hand, if the stress hormone is released due to physical workout, it improves memory retention.
The findings of the study highlighted that physical workout after an episode of learning switches the brain into “memory storage mode” wherein the brain remembers the information learnt prior to the stress release.
The findings of the study are published in journal Cognitive Systems Research.
