Study finds running makes people happier and helps them be more productive

By Gwyn Wright via SWNS

Running makes us happier and helps us get things done more quickly, scientists say.

Just ten minutes of moderate intensity running a day increases blood flow to the part of the brain that regulates our mood and ability to carry out tasks.

The findings from the University of Tsukuba in Japan may help scientists discover a broader range of treatments and recommendations to help people struggling with their mental health.

To test their hypothesis, they used the Stroop Colour-Word test, which measures our ability to process contradictory information, to capture changes in brain activity as participants took on different tasks.

In one task, people were shown contradictory information, for example the word ‘red’ written in green.

The participants had to name the color rather than read out the word.

The so-called ‘Stroop interference effect’ was measured by the difference in response times between people who did this version of the task compared to another, simpler version.

After ten minutes of moderate intensity running, the gap in response times narrowed and the part of the brain that regulates mood and our ability to get things done, called the bilateral prefrontal cortex, became more active during the Stroop task.

The participants also said they were in a better mood after running.

The study’s first author Chorphaka Damrongthai said: ‘’This was supported by findings of coincident activations in the prefrontal cortical regions involved in mood regulation.’’

It has already been established that exercise lifts our spirits but most studies to date have focused on cycling.

Running has always been important for human well-being, and the unique form and exertion it requires has always been closely linked to the evolutionary success of our species.

However, academics had not tested the effects of running on the part of the brain that regulates our mood and ability to get things done.

Study co-author Professor Hideaki Soya said: ‘’Given the extent of executive control required in coordinating balance, movement and propulsion during running, it is logical that there would be increased neuronal activation in the prefrontal cortex and that other functions in this region would benefit from this increase in neuronal resources.’’

The researchers added that, since the prefrontal cortex does not exist in other animals, the findings shed light on how we evolved.

The study was published in the open-access journal Scientific Reports.

It was supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science and the Japan Science and Technology Agency.