If you thought running was just great for the body， then think again.

Scientists have uncovered evidence that the sport not only keeps people trim but also boosts brain power.

The research found that people who keep fit are more likely to have larger brains， better memories and clearer thinking.

They also found that unfit people tended to have smaller brains and reduced cognitive skills.

The findings add to a growing body of evidence which links exercise with helping protect the brain against aging and also aiding it to replace dying cells.

This might reduce the risk of debilitating illnesses and diseases such as Alzheimers.

One research paper within its latest issue sees scientists at Kentucky University putting 30 adults aged 59—69 on a treadmill.

Their heart and lung capacity was measured and an MRI scanner was used to assess the blood flow to their brains.

Those who were less fit had smaller brains compared to the fitter volunteers who had larger brains.

Scientists in Germany followed 21 adults aged between 60 and 77. As they went through a three-month fitness program they saw improvements in their memory.

Researchers are not yet sure why exercise helps to protect brain cells but some research in mice has produced results.

Mice， examined at the National Institute on Aging， in Baltimore， found that cells in the hippocampus， an area of the brain used for memory， were actively reproducing while their fatter peers were in decline.

Linda Clare， professor of clinical psychology of aging and dementia at Exeter University and a member of the Global Council on Brain Health told the Sunday Times， “Moderate-intensity aerobic activity such as brisk walking， cycling or running can produce changes in brain structure and function.”

如果你認為跑步只對身體有好處，那么再想想吧。

科學家已經找到證據證明體育運動不僅能讓人保持苗條的身材，還能提升腦力。

研究發(fā)現(xiàn)，喜歡健身的人很可能大腦更大、記憶力更好、思維更清晰。

他們還發(fā)現(xiàn)不喜歡健身的人往往大腦要小一些，認知功能會退化。

越來越多的證據表明，鍛煉有助于抵御大腦老化，促進死亡的細胞代謝。

鍛煉還可能降低患老年癡呆癥等退行性疾病的風險。

在最近發(fā)表的一份研究報告中，肯塔基大學的科學家對30位59至69歲的人做了一項實驗，讓他們在跑步機上鍛煉。

研究者測量了他們的心肺功能，并使用磁共振成像儀判斷他們大腦的血液流量。

那些身體不太健壯的志愿者大腦較小，而體格健壯的志愿者大腦較大。

德國的科學家對21名60至77歲的成年人做了跟蹤調查。經過三個月的運動健身，他們的記憶力得到了改善。

研究人員現(xiàn)在還不確定鍛煉有助于保護腦細胞的原因。但通過一些對老鼠的研究，已經找到了答案。

位于巴爾的摩的美國國家衰老研究所發(fā)現(xiàn)，那些體形苗條的老鼠，大腦用于記憶的區(qū)域——海馬體中的細胞在積極地繁殖，而體形肥胖的老鼠的海馬體細胞在下降。

英國?？巳卮髮W衰老和癡呆臨床心理學教授、全球腦健康委員會成員琳達·克萊爾對《星期日泰晤士報》說：“健步走、騎自行車、跑步等中等強度的有氧運動可以改變大腦的結構和功能。”