For Rats Swimming Stimulates Brain Cell Growth More than Running

A study published in the April 16 issue of Neuroscience found that regular exercise in adult rats increased their levels of nerve growth factor in the hippocampus (area responsbile for memory), increased the number of newly proliferated nerve cells, and extended the period of neuron survival and maintenance. These phenomena were more apparent with swimming than running on a treadmill. You shouldn't jump to humans and conclude that swimming is better for our brains, but you can conclude that exercise in general is good for our brains as well. Although maybe swimmers have an edge....just kidding!