A study from UCL News has found some encouraging news for anyone building a new exercise habit: getting fitter doesn’t just strengthen the body, it deepens the brain’s own reward for moving in the first place.

Researchers followed 30 previously inactive adults through a 12-week programme of cycling three times a week. As participants grew fitter, their brains released more brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) – a protein that supports the growth of new neurons and connections – after a single 15-minute bout of exercise. The effect showed up within just six weeks, and was linked to measurable changes in the prefrontal cortex, the brain region responsible for attention, decision-making and emotional regulation.

Lead researcher Dr Flaminia Ronca said: “We’ve known for a while that exercise is good for our brain, but the mechanisms through which this occurs are still being disentangled. The most exciting finding from our study is that if we become fitter, our brains benefit even more from a single session of exercise, and this can change in only six weeks.”

For a foundation that believes physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing are woven together, this is a hopeful reminder: consistent, modest habits – a short walk, a cycle, a daily movement practice – can meaningfully strengthen the brain’s capacity to heal and grow, complementing the therapeutic and spiritual care we offer at Maccabeus.

Read the original article on UCL News to learn more.