A new study highlights the link between fitness and mental performance, says

WE ALL know that exercise is good for our physical health. What’s less well known is how fitness can help with your brain power.

Read: MEDITATE ON YOUR MEAL, AND MIND IT

A new study commissioned by Asics (asics.com) has found that exercise can significantly improve cognitive function. Professor Brendon Stubbs invited 77 competitive gamers from around the world who previously did no exercise to take part in a four-month programme. Under the guidance of a trainer, the participants – who specialised in games such as chess, mahjong and esports – took part in medium impact cardio and strength training sessions, working up to 150 minutes of activity a week. Four of the gamers were followed by a camera crew for documentary film Mind Games, The Experiment, which is available to stream on Prime Video. “We found that exercise in this really specialist population had a meaningful impact on people’s cognitive function – broadly a 10 per cent increase,” says Prof Stubbs, who measured gamers’ problem solving, short-term memory and executive function, meaning the ability to juggle and prioritise tasks. Improvements were even seen in their gaming. So if these pro-level players can show significant growth, could exercise help everyone to sharpen their mental skills?

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FEEL THE BENEFITS

“There are many well-recognised benefits of exercise on the brain, ranging from reducing stress and anxiety, improving energy, attention and focus, enhancing memory and reducing ageing of the brain and associated neurodegenerative conditions,” says Dr Emer MacSweeney, CEO and consultant neuroradiologist at Re: Cognition Health (recognitionhealth.com).

“Physical exercise has also been shown to modulate brain glucose metabolism, which provides the fuel for physiological brain function and the generation of neurotransmitters.”

Read: Will fasting boost your metabolism?

Brain scanning studies suggest that when our heart rate goes up, new neural pathways are formed connecting areas of the brain associated with things like problem solving, memory and emotion.

Plus, exercise stimulates the production of chemicals such as BDNF (brain derived neurotrophic factor) and IGF (insulin growth factor). “These are factors which stimulate new cell growth in areas of the brain, and these are really responsive to muscle contraction, so will help fertilise the brain in a really positive way, to sort of oil those connections,” adds Prof Stubbs.

LONG-TERM LINKS

““Exercise is thought to encourage brain cell growth and survival, which may help reduce the risk of developing dementia,” says Dr MacSweeney.

It also “helps promote sleep, which is essential for all aspects of the body including reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s and helping to manage stress, anxiety and other

Read: WHAT IS BODY LANGUAGE? Let Your Body Talk

1. How long does Covid last?

“In most cases, Covid infections usually last around one to two weeks, depending on the severity,” says Dr Brian Fisher, clinical director at wellness app Evergreen Life (evergreen-life.co.uk). “For cases on the higher end of this severity, you’re looking at around a month or longer for recovery.”

There are also cases of long Covid – where symptoms lasts longer than 12 weeks – with the ONS estimating this affects between 3 per cent and 12 per cent of people with Covid. “In that case, it’s very difficult to say how long the symptoms can last, even after all tests give you the all clear,” said Dr Fisher.

2. Is tonsillitis contagious?

Dr Jay Verma, a GP and co-founder of Data Care Solutions (datacaresolutions.co.uk), explains: “Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils, which are found at the back of the throat. It can be caused by a viral infection or a bacterial infection, such as a Group A Streptococcal infection.

“Tonsillitis itself is not contagious: what is contagious is the organism which caused the inflammation. The effects, such as a sore throat or pain when swallowing, are the symptoms.” Other symptoms include a high temperature, coughing, a headache and fatigue. If your symptoms are severe and do not go away after four days, Dr Verma advises calling your GP.

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3. How many calories should I eat a day?

Dr Kathryn Basford, ASDA Online Doctor (onlinedoctor.asda.com), says: “The suggested daily calorie intake differs from person to person based on several factors. Your age, your lifestyle, your height and weight are all factors to consider, and sometimes medications and health conditions can cause you to burn energy more or less quickly. However, in general, the recommended number of calories to consume for women is set at 2,000, while 2,500 are suggested for men. This is a generalisation though, so it is always important to consider things like your build and daily activity levels.”

4. How long does flu last?

“With the flu, it usually only takes around a week or so for the illness to pass, with some symptoms lingering for another week or two in particularly harsh cases,” suggests Dr Fisher. “While most people won’t feel any long-lasting effects of the virus, if your symptoms aren’t improving or getting worse, it’s important to contact your doctor. Remember it is not unusual for coughs to continue for some weeks.”

5. What is Strep A?

“Group A streptococcus is a bacteria that can cause a number of mild infections, most commonly sore throat and skin infections like impetigo,” explains Dr Basford. “It can also cause scarlet fever, which gives a sore throat, high temperature, and distinctive sandpaper-like skin rash. Rarely it can lead to more severe infections, called invasive group A strep, where the infection can get into the blood or the lungs.”

Google data gathered between January 1 and 9

I DON’t know about you, but watching my spending feels like a full time job at the moment. Between spiralling energy prices, rising supermarket costs and the insidious increase of interest rates, it’s hard to keep track of things. With all that in mind, I’m finding it increasingly difficult to justify dropping £50+ on the latest AAA games.

That’s why indie games have been my saviour – a more pocket friendly, and often more rewarding gaming experience.

It’s an exciting year for indie fans, with some of the smaller studios behind the big hits of 2017 and 2018 preparing to release follow up titles. In the meantime, if you’re looking for a cheap gaming fix that doesn’t compromise on quality, check out these titles which are due for release this February.

Dust & Neon (PEGI 16) Switch, PC Price: £24.99

If you’re after a serious challenge this month, then look no further than this twin-stick roguelite shooter.

Dust & Neon is set in a postapocalyptic Wild West that’s overrun by villainy – and robots.

You play as Gunslinger, a legendary sharpshooter from the past brought back to life by a mad scientist to fight the robot oppression. With more than 2,000 unique weapons in your arsenal to unlock, each gunfight allows you to upgrade

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Gunslinger and change his game style.

Reloading involves you popping each round in the chamber – even in the heat of battle. Prepare to die a lot, especially when you come up against the brutal bosses.

Tails: The Backbone Preludes (PEGI NA) PC Price: £12.99

This is the follow up to 2021’s superb Backbone, which followed the adventures of private eye racoon Howard Lotor in a dystopian Vancouver.

As the name suggests, this game is set before the events of Backbone while keeping the post-noir theme. It follows the lives of four characters – all animals – as they experience moments of change, circumstance, and consequences. Each character has their own little story arc, playing out through a series of interactive vignettes.

It’s surprising just how deep this game’s narrative is, paired with the impressive pixel graphics to create complex and often heartbreaking moments.

While there is currently no PEGI rating I could find for this game, it does deal with very mature themes – abuse, violence, racism and sexism, alcohol, drug abuse, depression and death. So not one to share with your kids.

Read: Women Who are Active are at Lower Risk for Heart Disease

Knights of Braveland (PEGI 7) PC Price: £12.79

Gaming is fun, but it’s even better when you can share the experience with friends. Knight of Braveland is a co-op beat’em up that allows you to do just that.

As part of the Heroes Guild, you’ll fight your way from rookie to hero

of the kingdom.

This game feels heavily inspired by the likes of Castle Crashers and Battleblock Theatre, cartoon action with a lighthearted script. As enjoyable playing through on story mode as it is to team up with up to four friends to hack and slash your way to glory – this is more fun than it has any right to be.

Rooftop Renegade (PEGI 7) PS4, XBOX ONE, Switch, PC Price: £14.99

If you like living on the edge, then this could be the game for you. Rooftop Renegade is all about speed and flow, lacing up your hoverblades and taking to the city skyline in a bid to evade capture by the sinister Globacorp.

Bright, neon soaked graphics make this a joy to look at, while the fast and fluid gameplay makes you think fast on your feet. Collecting scattered time crystals as you go, you’ll need to make split second decisions to stay in the game – so not one to play when you’re not feeling your sharpest.

You can up the ante by playing this in co-op with up to four others, so you can grind, boost and warp your way through the map.

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SpaceBourne 2 (PEGI NA) PC Price: £16.75

A sequel to 2020’s Spacebourne, this game has been in early access for a few weeks and is rapidly gaining gamers’ attention.

Billed as an RPG-based, openuniverse, single-player space shooter, it picks up where the previous game left, and it’s your turn to build a new empire in the galaxy. There’s a wealth of features here allowing you to go about things however you want.

Sitting alongside SpaceBourne 2’s main objective are half a dozen side events you can take part in, from mining for loot, salvaging from the wrecks of spaceships, to bounty hunting and exploring the outer regions by jumping through wormholes.

It’s going to take a very long time for you to get bored with this one.