跑步能提升你的大脑机能

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

如果你认为跑步只对身体有好处，那么再想想吧。

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

科学家已经找到证据证明体育运动不仅能让人保持苗条身材，还能提升脑力。

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

研究发现，喜欢健身的人一般大脑更大，记忆力更好，思维更清晰。

跑步能提升你的大脑机能

They also found that unfit people tended to have smaller brains and reduced cognitive¹ skills.

他们也发现不喜欢健身的人往往大脑较小，认知功能退化。

The findings add to a growing body of evidence which links exercise with helping² protect the brain against ageing and also aiding it replace dying cells.

越来越多的证据表明，锻炼有助于抵御大脑老化，促进死细胞代谢。

This might reduce the risk of debilitating³ illnesses and diseases such as Alzheimer's.

锻炼还可能降低患老年痴呆症等退行性疾病的风险。

One research paper within its latest issue sees scientists at Kentucky University putting 30 adults aged⁴ 59-69 on a treadmill⁵.

在研究这一新论题的一篇论文中，肯塔基大学的科学家们对30位59-69岁的人做了一项实验，让他们在跑步机上锻炼。

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

研究者测量了他们的心肺功能，使用磁共振成像仪判断大脑的血液流量。

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

那些身体不太健壮的志愿者大脑较小，而体格健壮的人大脑较大。

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

德国的科学家们对21名60-77岁的成人做了跟踪调查。经过三个月的运动健身，他们的记忆力得到了改善。

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

研究者们还不确定锻炼有助于保护脑细胞的原因，但一些对老鼠的研究已经找到了答案。

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 actively⁶ reproducing while their fatter peers were in decline.

位于巴尔的摩的美国国家衰老研究所发现，那些体型苗条的老鼠，大脑用于记忆的区域——海马体中的细胞在积极地繁殖，而胖老鼠的海马体细胞在下降。

Linda Clare, professor of clinical psychology⁷ of ageing and dementia at Exeter University and a member of the Global Council on Brain Health told The Sunday Times: 'Moderate-intensity aerobic⁸ activity such as brisk walking, cycling or running can produce changes in brain structure and function.'

英国埃克塞特大学衰老和痴呆临床心理学教授、全球脑健康委员会成员琳达?克莱尔对《星期日泰晤士报》说：“快走、骑车、跑步等中等强度的有氧运动可以改变大脑的结构和功能。”

Vocabulary

trim: 苗条的；整洁的

debilitate: 使衰弱

aerobic: 有氧的

1 cognitive   

adj.认知的，认识的，有感知的

参考例句：

• As children grow older,their cognitive processes become sharper.孩子们越长越大，他们的认知过程变得更为敏锐。
• The cognitive psychologist is like the tinker who wants to know how a clock works.认知心理学者倒很像一个需要通晓钟表如何运转的钟表修理匠。

2 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

3 debilitating   

a.使衰弱的

参考例句：

• The debilitating disease made him too weak to work. 这个令他衰弱的病，使他弱到没有办法工作。
• You may soon leave one debilitating condition or relationship forever. 你即将永远地和这段霉运说拜拜了。

4 aged   

adj.年老的，陈年的

参考例句：

• He had put on weight and aged a little.他胖了，也老点了。
• He is aged,but his memory is still good.他已年老，然而记忆力还好。

5 treadmill   

n.踏车；单调的工作

参考例句：

• The treadmill has a heart rate monitor.跑步机上有个脉搏监视器。
• Drugs remove man from the treadmill of routine.药物可以使人摆脱日常单调的工作带来的疲劳。

6 actively   

adv.积极地，勤奋地

参考例句：

• During this period all the students were actively participating.在这节课中所有的学生都积极参加。
• We are actively intervening to settle a quarrel.我们正在积极调解争执。

7 psychology   

n.心理，心理学，心理状态

参考例句：

• She has a background in child psychology.她受过儿童心理学的教育。
• He studied philosophy and psychology at Cambridge.他在剑桥大学学习哲学和心理学。

8 aerobic   

adj.需氧的，增氧健身法的，有氧的

参考例句：

• Aerobic exercise helps to build up stamina.有氧健身操有助于增强耐力。
• Aerobic dance is conductive to the health.有氧舞蹈有助于健康。