Work out and work better

! Dan Landers, a professor of kinesiology, explains that exercise improves cognitive functioning and benefits can be gained by all ages and every brain. For example Dr Phillip Tomorowski evaluated 43 studies using bouts of vigorous cycling and found that mental performance improved significantly post exercise compared with pre exercise. Dopamine and epinephrine, our bodies neuro-transmitters, enhance communication between key areas of the brain and are shown to climb during physical activity. After exercise other neurochemicals take over to make this effect long lasting. A further study compared a group of subjects who ran for thirty minutes twice a week for six weeks with a group who didn’t run. Tests to measure concentration showed the runners scored significantly better than the non-runners and there were still positive effects twelve weeks after they stopped running. Cameron Herold, CEO of a global business, uses exercise to increase his mental ability “When I’m running I get into a zone that allows me to solve problems” he says. He takes this one stage further and incorporates this thinking into his recruitment policy “We look to hire fit people because we find them more focused and engaged” Many organisations spend considerable amounts of time and money on executive training to enhance the thinking ability of their leaders and managers. It might be argued that this could be better spent on assisting their people to make positive life style changes that would not only improve their ability to achieve goals and think more clearly at work but would also improve their health and reduce stress. In coaching I often find it is the simple and practical steps that achieve significant benefits over time. Many people I coach tell me that as a result of incorporating more exercise into their life style they have achieved a greater sense of well being and can think more clearly at work. For example one client said “By simply walking to work instead of driving I find I am more alert, can concentrate better, do certain jobs in half the time and I’m less ‘ratty’ with my colleagues”.

You can prove this for yourself with the ‘Stroop’ mental function test. Write the following words in capitals in a line like this:

BLUE PURPLE GREEN RED

Write the word blue in green ink, purple in red, green in purple and red in blue. Test yourself before and after your chosen 20 minute physical activity by quickly naming the colour of the ink in which the word is written rather than the colour that the word names – compare before and after! The exercise needs to be quite vigorous for maximum effect, so do work up to this, warm up and stretch before and check with your Doctor if you have concerns. You could even try something a little different for your next business meeting. Rather than sitting round the board room table wrestling with a decision or trying to solve a tricky problem instead try going for a brisk walk together and continuing your meeting on the ‘hoof’!

Jeff Gill ICF Credentialed Coach


Work out and work better - To learn more about this author, visit Jeff Gill's Website.

Like this article? Share it with your friends

E-Mail | Print | More

Related Articles

---

Related Forum Posts
	Try wikipedia.com for more information
	Work At Home Blog Contest
	Re: Does Your Website Have a Robots.txt File?
	Hiring a Short Term Employee
	Another way to get PR
	Books for Women Entrepreneurs
	Re: Books for the Entrepreneur
	Re: Vera Wang Profile

---

Related Businesses - Evan Elite Authors

Vwodek Wojczynski Business Coach and Consultant Vwodek Wojczynski (pronounced Voy-chin-ski) brings fun, awareness, accountability and fresh perspectives based on his diverse experiences in life and business. Born in Poland and educated in Greece and Canada, he is trilingual with 8 years experience in business development with clients in Canada, USA, Switzerland and Poland. His approach is systematic and process-driven. He fuses the know-how of proven business methods with his commitment that entrepreneurs experience satisfaction and joy based on their values, motivations and strengths. He believes that businesses succeed based on their ability to generate value by providing what’s needed and wanted. Ultimately, he trains executives and true business owners - people who work less, produce more, own businesses that run automatically after a while and make a difference globally. His current research focus is the development of intelligent business systems and the application of emerging artificial intelligence technologies in business. He is also an avid traveler, spoken word performer and visual artist. He resides in Toronto, Canada. - Visit Vwodek Wojczynski's Website

Dianne Crampton Dianne Crampton is an Executive Leadership Coach and Team Building Consultant and creator of the TIGERS team development model. For the past twenty years she has helped leaders and teams achieve goals with high levels of collaboration and teamwork. Crampton is a published author. Her contribution to Working Together: Diversity As Opportunity was endorsed by Stephen Covey. She has written for trade magazines. Merrill Lynch nominated her business for Inc. Magazine’s regional small business and entrepreneurial awards. Her work with Native Americans was recognized at a United Nations sponsored conference in 1994. The TIGERS model passed two rigorous validation studies in 1992 and 1994. The TIGERS Survey is able to measure and track team development over time. Dianne is also the creator and distributor of the TIGERS Team Wheel game. This game helps groups identify behaviors that build collaborative groups and behaviors that cause conflict, morale problems, production failures, and misunderstandings. For more information, or to subscribe to TigerTracks, a free monthly leadership and team newsletter go to http://www.corevalues.com - Visit Dianne Crampton's Website

The Evan Elite Authors program is currently in beta phase. For details please contact us.