Kayla Dahl

3/22/16
Diverse Learners

Annotated Bibliography
Barr, Taylor. (1985, April). The Relation of Physical Activity and Exercise to Mental Health.
Stanford University School of Medicine. Retrieved from
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1424736/pdf/pubhealthrep00100-0085.pdf?
origin
This article goes into great detail surrounding the strong correlation amongst mental health and
physical exercise. Barr articulates the strong mental benefits of exercise, such as alleviated
symptoms of mild to moderate depression. Barr also describes the potential benefits of physical
activity in handling substance abuse and alcoholism. This article first and foremost addresses the
concerning prevalence of mental health issues throughout our society, noting how these illnesses
affect around 15% of the population each year. A summarized list of what exercise decreases
includes Type A behavior, phobias, and even psychotic behavior. Furthermore, Barr also notes
how exercise increases intellectual functioning, positive body image, and emotional stability. Barr
even cites a study that found physical exercise could decrease physiological responses to
stressful stimuli. Barr ends with calling for greater research and investigation into this compelling
subject, and offers a conclusive summary of exercise and its extensive positive consequences on
overall mental wellbeing.
Bergland, Christopher. (2014, April 9). Physical Activity Improves Cognition Function.
Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-athletesway/201404/physical-activity-improves-cognitive-function
This article deals heavily with the vast cognitive benefits associated with physical activity and
fitness. Author Christopher Bergland addresses two major studies that demonstrate
breakthroughs in this evolving field. In a study done by a research facility in Minnesota, a
cognitive test was administered to 2,747 individuals at age 25, and then again 20 years later. The
researchers found that those who remain physically active maintained greater cognitive function
as well; they were able to conclusively rule that physical activity coincides with greater overall
cognitive well-being. In addition, Bergland cites another study completed by the University of
Eastern Finland, which highlighted the strong correlation between physical fitness and reduced
risk of dementia. This study found that exercise leads to an increase in neurotropic factor
B.D.N.F., which spurs neurogenesis and thus increases neural connections in the brain. In
addition, this study cited the production of an exercise hormone known as irisin, which can
also greatly improve cognition. Overall, this article summarizes two informative studies that
provide extensive knowledge about the cognitive effects of physical activity.
Brody, J. E. (2010, March 1). Even More Reasons to Get a Move On. The New York Times.
Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/02/health/02brod.html?

Kayla Dahl
3/22/16
Diverse Learners

_r=0&module=ArrowsNav&contentCollection=Health&action=keypress&region=FixedLeft
&pgtype=article
This article discusses the research and statistics that support exercise and its positive long-term
effects. Brody cites numerous studies that suggest exercise as a strong deterrent for various
ailments such as cancer, osteoporosis, and diabetes. Furthermore, the article highlights the
prevention of cardiovascular disease as demonstrated by a 2008 study from The New England
Journal of Medicine, suggesting the strong link between exercise and physical wellbeing. In
addition, Brody references a new study of 3,485 men and women over age 55, suggesting
exercise and its ability to delay cognitive impairment through dementia.
Hill, W. J.B. (2011, March 24). How Does Exercise Benefit Performance on Cognitive Tests in
Primary-School Pupils? Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology. Retrieved from
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mark_MonWilliams/publication/51199007_How_does_exercise_benefit_performance_on_cognitive_test
s_in_primary-school_pupils/links/543bb0cf0cf204cab1db1371.pdf
This report details a trial designed to test the benefits of classroom-based exercise opportunities
on cognitive abilities, and was implemented using 552 randomly chosen children with a mean
age of 9 years and 8 months. The children were divided into two groups: Group A (received
exercise intervention in week 1) and Group B (received exercise intervention in week 2). Over
two week intervals, both groups were given a cognitive test battery (CTB) designed to evaluate
cognitive function. Moreover, the results illustrate that there is no relationship amongst cognitive
benefit from exercise and on ones BMI or ADHD diagnoses-- underscoring the possibility of
replicating such exercise-interventions throughout classrooms nationwide. This study, along with
similarly designed experiments over the years, highlights the strong link amongst physical
activity and cognitive health which can be used to improve student performance within the
classroom.
Kolata, Gina. (2008, March 27). Yes, Running Can Make You High. The New York Times.
Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/27/health/nutrition/27best.html?
_r=0&module=ArrowsNav&contentCollection=Fitness
%20%26%20Nutrition&action=keypress&region=FixedLeft&pgtype=article
This article deals heavily with newfound knowledge in the phenomenon known as Runners
High and the implications such discoveries can have on the world of fitness. The Runners
High hypothesis centers around the belief that exercise produces biochemical effects on the
brain. However, the problem with such theory is that it is simply not feasible to do a spinal tap
before and after exercise to compare the presence of endorphins in the brain; therefore, such a
proposal was previously hard to prove and support. However, with breakthrough advances in
technology, researchers in Germany have been able to do exactly that, releasing an argument in

Kayla Dahl
3/22/16
Diverse Learners

the Cerebral Cortex Journal that details their findings. The head researcher, Dr. Henning
Boecker from the University of Bonn, recruited 10 long-distance runners who were unaware of
the real purpose of the study. The research team used both PET Scans and a psychological test
to determine the psychological state of the runners both before and after a two-hour run. The
results were extremely profound and revealing, as they demonstrated that endorphins were
produced during running within the brain, and were then attaching themselves to the areas of the
brain associated with emotion, especially the limbic and prefrontal areas. This evidence
supporting the occurrence of Runners High offers fresh insight into the mental benefits of
physical exercise, and can open doors for future investigations into the biochemical features of
exercise.
Lavelle, Judy. (2015, October 8). New Brain Effects Behind Runners High. Scientific
American. Retrieved from http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/new-brain-effects-behindrunner-s-high/
Author Judy Lavelle details a new comprehensive study performed on mice that suggests
endocannabinoids can contribute to the sensation of runners high. This study is revolutionary,
as many past researchers simply assumed runners high was spurred by an increase in endorphins. In contrast, the endocannabinoid system coincides sharply with the effects of
marijuana, suggesting exercise can produce similar alleviating and euphoric results. This study
also concluded that running increased ones pain tolerance, as tested by a mices tendency to
move or flinch when placed on a hot plate. Such an article provides fresh and modern insight into
the ongoing science behind runners high and offers a unique perspective to this sensation that
suggests the continuing debate and research done on this subject.
Owen, Neville. (2010, December). Sedentary Behavior: Emerging Evidence for a New Health
Risk. The Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Retrieved from
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2996155/
In comparison to previous generations, Americans today live in an increasingly inactive society-whether it be sitting at work, typing away on the computer, or driving to all destinations. Neville
notes that people move less and sit more; there is a clear shift in lifestyle patterns that has
created a disturbing trend in American health and wellbeing. Neville outlines the decline in
high-energy input jobs, describing the greater increase in careers with little to no physical
movement. Furthermore, the rise in technology plays a monumental role in sedentary lifestyles,
as now more than 9 in 10 children (aged kindergarten- grade 12) use computers in schools.
Neville further clarifies the various levels of non-exercise-- ranging from sedentary behavior
(sitting, lying down) to light-intensity activity (standing, slow walking), and describes how the
increased lack of exercise creates health risks that clash with our evolutionary roots. Overall,

Kayla Dahl
3/22/16
Diverse Learners

Neville outlines how our current downfall marks a disturbing trend in our nation and could
account for the increase in detrimental health ailments throughout our country.
Rettner, Rachael. (2015, August 13). Exercise Hormone Irisin Really Does Exist. LiveScience.
Retrieved from http://www.livescience.com/51845-irisin-exercise-hormone.html

In this informative article, author Rachael Rettner discusses breakthrough research that seems to
confirm the presence of the so-called exercise hormone irisin. Irisin was first discovered by
Harvard Medical School in 2012, when a group of professors found production of this hormone
in both rats and humans following physical exercise. However, since then, there has been
widespread controversy over the validity of this study, leaving much unknown about this
revolutionary hormone. However, in this recent experiment, researchers used a process known as
quantitative mass spectrometry, where they broke a protein into smaller fragments in order to
look more closely at these specific proteins. With this technology, the researchers located irisin in
the blood samples of both inactive and active individuals; however, those who were physically
activity had significantly higher levels of this hormone in their bloodstream. Though this study
seems to finally confirm the increased levels of irisin associated with exercise, there is still much
research to be done on the benefits of irisin, and its potential to provide positive cognitive and
physical effects. The discovery of irisin is a relatively new breakthrough, though the recent
information learned about this hormone opens the door to greater research and investigation.
Reynolds, Gretchen. (2012, April 18). How Exercise Could Lead to a Better Brain. The New
York Times Magazines. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/22/magazine/howexercise-could-lead-to-a-better-brain.html?_r=0
This article discusses the cognitive benefits of physical exercise, noting the profound
improvement in cognitive flexibility that has been supported by various studies. Specifically,
Reynolds details a study on lab rats, in which these test subjects were given a preliminary
cognitive test and injected with a substance to track brain changes. Next, the rats were divided
into four distinct groups to be monitored over a period of several months. Group One was in a
sensual and gustatory- rich environment, with bright colors, mirrors, and various foods such as
cheese and fruits. Group Two experienced the same embellishments, and also had a running
wheel available. Group Three had a simple environment and standard kibble, and Group Four
had a running wheel but standard food and decoration. Months later, the rats were closely
examined and underwent a similar cognitive test to track improvements. Regardless of how
inviting or popular, the embellished environment did not improve brain function; rather, the only
variable that accounted for greater cognitive ability was the running wheel. Reynolds goes on to
analyze possible causes of such results, noting the production of neurons (neurogenesis) that
can occur through exercise. Research suggests that exercise increases production of B.D.N.F,

Kayla Dahl
3/22/16
Diverse Learners

which strengthens cells and supports neuronal connections that can spur neurogenesis. This
increase in B.D.N.F. could possibly account for some of the noted benefits of exercise, and could
be used to better understand physical activitys effects on cognitive health.
Reynolds, Gretchen. (2012, January 18). How Exercise May Keep Alzheimers at Bay. The New
York Times. Retrieved from http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/18/how-exercise-may-keepalzheimers-at-bay/?
_r=0&module=ArrowsNav&contentCollection=Health&action=keypress&region=FixedLeft&p
gtype=Blogs
In this article, author Gretchen Reynolds details a recent study done by the Knight Alzheimers
Disease Research Center in Washington University related to exercise and its ability to decrease
the risk of Alzheimers or to reduce visible symptoms of the present disease. The experiment
consisted of 201 adults aged 45-88; while some participants had a family history of Alzheimers,
none demonstrated clinical symptoms of the disease. The study began with a brain scan on each
participant using positron emission tomography. This scan specifically looked for signs of
amyloid plaques, which are key indicators of Alzheimers. Next the researchers tested each
participant for APOE, a gene related to cholesterol metabolism. While everyone has this gene, a
certain variation of it (known as APOE e4) puts individuals at 15 times greater risk for
developing Alzheimers. 56 of the volunteers turned out to be positive for APOE e4. The
volunteers then completed detailed and comprehensive studies about their exercise habits over
the past 10 years. While volunteers without the APOE e4 gene had reduced amounts of amyloid
plaques, the effects of exercise were barely statistically significant. However, for the individuals
with the APOE e4 gene, exercise drastically reduced plaque accumulation. The results of such a
study were eye-opening; essentially, the APOE-e4 gene carriers mitigated their inherited risk
for developing Alzheimers by working out. The information provided by this study can go a
long way in the fight to end Alzheimers and prevent memory loss and cognitive degeneration.