Being fit linked to higher IQ in young adults

Photo Courtesy of U.S. Army

According to a new study recently published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), young adults that are fit have a higher IQ.

The expansive research looked at 1.2 million men in the Swedish Military between 1950 and 1976 and analyzed both their IQ and physical tests when they enlisted.  The results showed a clear link between physical fitness and results from IQ tests that were performed.  Logical thinking and verbal comprehension showed the strongest correlations.

Many studies in the past have identified a link between physical fitness and improved brain function but most of them concentrated on children and older adults.  The brain changes rapidly in young adulthood and many cognitive traits are developed so this is where the new study breaks ground.

It was noted that the link was found between improved fitness and not muscular strength.  when you improve your fitness level, you improve your cardiovascular system which allows your brain to receive the oxygen it needs to function optimally.

The findings of this study are important because in recent years many of our public schools have reduced, or even eliminated, physical education offerings.  Maria Åberg, a researcher at the Sahlgrenska Academy and physician at Åby health centre, told Science Daily:

We have also shown that those youngsters who improve their physical fitness between the ages of 15 and 18 increase their cognitive performance.This being the case, physical education is a subject that has an important place in schools, and is an absolute must if we want to do well in maths and other theoretical subjects.

Additionally, researchers found that those that were more fit at the age of 18 were most likely to obtain a higher education.

According to Science Daily, the study was conducted at the Center for Brain Repair and Rehabilitation in Gothenburg in conjunction with the Swedish Twins Registry at the Karolinska Institutet.

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