Heart-Brain
and Endurance Exercise
There seems to be no question that physical exercise
benefits both the heart and the brain. Study results of endurance exercises, however, are suggesting that intense endurance
exercise (e.g.,
marathons, triathlons) can cause acute dysfunction
of the heart’s right ventricle, which can induce chronic structural changes even
in some of the most practiced athletes. Researchers now suspect that there may
be a point at which exertion becomes dangerous, especially for middle aged men
who, because of gender and changes that accompany aging, are more susceptible
to cardiac arrest caused by vigorous exercise. According to a 2012 study
published in the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings, the death rate for triathlons
is about twice that of marathons because of increased intensity of the
competition and the initial swimming leg of the events. And the brain
connection? It is totally dependent upon the heart for blood flow and the oxygen,
glucose, and micronutrition it provides. Both the brain and the heart seem to
work better in an environment of balance rather than excess. I’ve included a
link below of the dozen or so I’m aware of.