Physically Active Male Means Smarter

Recent studies show that physically active males have the tendency to be smarter as compared to their inactive counterparts. This result is based from the study conducted by Dr. H. Georg Kuhn and colleagues from the Institute of Medicine at the University of Gothenburg. This large Swedish study wanted to know if aerobic or cardiovascular fitness and muscle strength has something to do with brain power and future socioeconomic status.

The subjects for this study are 1.2 million Swedish men born between 1950 and 1976 and all have undertaken mandatory military duty at age 18. Researches have analyzed their physical and metal aspects based from their data snapshots. They also assessed family and genetic influences by looking at scores of their family members, especially brothers and twins. Initial scoring is done, and then were again rated based on midlife success like educational attainment and occupation.

Results showed that there is a positive link between cardiovascular fitness and being smart, but not with muscle strength and intelligence measures. Results also showed that positive fitness change can also mean positive cognitive results among teen boys. Kuhn reports that "male subjects with improved predicted cardiovascular fitness between 15 and 18 years of age exhibited significantly greater intelligence scores than subjects with decreased cardiovascular fitness." As a conclusion, researches said that being physically active have important implications in education. They also said that having an active lifestyle may reduce risk of disease and as quoted "perhaps intellectual and academic underachievement" even.

With the broad data and topic to be studied, Dr. Kuhn was noted to have sent an email to Reuters saying that "The data are 'objective' and standardized measurements of fitness and cognition and do not rely on self-rating scales and questionnaires." So validity of the study rests on data strengths.

Physical activity is considered an important aspect with everyday living. This is evident with the physical fitness program and activities that school offers early on. However, as people progress through life, they tend to be busy with things that matter to them, making exercise somewhat a burden. And to some, exercise is not just their thing and they just spend their time in front of computers or the television. Similar studies have been conducted linking physical inactivity to heart disease and diabetes.

Studies like these are made to give the public carefully-validated weight loss information that is safe and effective. Exercise information, on the other hand, should only come from experts.