We know that the exercise bike has many advantages, but there is one that has surprised science: it improves memory.

Sport, an unexpected ally for your brain

Small everyday oversights are normal, they happen to everyone… but not on the same scale. Our memory sometimes plays tricks on us, yes, but did you know that a simple physical activity could strengthen it considerably? This is what recent scientific studies suggest.

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Physical exercise, whether cardio or muscular, is beneficial for our body, but also for our brain. Beyond reducing the risk of chronic diseases, sport improves our cognitive abilities, such as attention, speed of information processing and… memory! Yes, plenty of research has established a direct link between aerobic exercise and better memory. Whether it’s to remember a face, a story or a place, moving helps us remember better.

25 minutes is enough to boost your memory

You don’t need to spend hours at the gym to feel the benefits. Studies have shown that Short exercise sessions, such as a 10-minute walk or 30 minutes of cycling, can already significantly improve your short-term memory.

A recent study, published in the journal iSciencelooked at spatial memory, that is to say our ability to orient ourselves and remember places. The researchers divided participants into two groups: a group that did 25 minutes of exercise cycling and a control group. The results are unequivocal: people who cycled performed significantly better on spatial memory tests.

Why does it work? Researchers are struggling a bit on the issue. Scientists believe that exercise stimulates the production of certain chemicals in the brain that promote the growth of new nerve cells and strengthen connections between neurons. Take this information with a grain of salt, there is no consensus yet.

So don’t hesitate, put on your sneakers and get moving! Whether it’s running, swimming, dancing or cycling, the important thing is to practice regular physical activity. Your body and brain will thank you.

The keys to better memory

• Practice regular physical activity: 30 minutes a day is enough.
• Vary activities: to stimulate different areas of the brain.
• Have fun: sport should be fun!
• Consult a doctor before starting any new exercise program, especially if you have any health problems.

Sources :

Ramirez Butavand, D., Rodriguez, M. F., Cifuentes, M. V., Miranda, M., Bauza, C. G., Bekinschtein, P., & Ballarini, F. (2023). Acute and chronic physical activity improves spatial memory in an immersive virtual reality task. iScience, 26(3), 106176. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2023.106176

Smith, P. J., Blumenthal, J. A., Hoffman, B. M., Cooper, H., Strauman, T. A., Welsh-Bohmer, K., Browndyke, J. N., & Sherwood, A. (2010). Aerobic exercise and neurocognitive performance: a meta-analytic review of randomized controlled trials. Psychosomatic medicine, 72(3), 239–252. https://doi.org/10.1097/PSY.0b013e3181d14633

Voss, M. W., Soto, C., Yoo, S., Sodoma, M., Vivar, C., & van Praag, H. (2019). Exercise and Hippocampal Memory Systems. Trends in cognitive sciences, 23(4), 318–333. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2019.01.006

Potter, D., & Keeling, D. (2005). Effects of moderate exercise and circadian rhythms on human memory. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 27(1), 117-125.

Labban, J. D., & Etnier, J. L. (2011). Effects of acute exercise on long-term memory. Research quarterly for exercise and sport, 82(4), 712–721. https://doi.org/10.1080/02701367.2011.10599808