Are you preparing for a big test? If so, you may want to go play some basketball in between hitting the books. Based on information they have collected over the years, researchers have seen an apparent connection between exercise and brain development. Judy Cameron, a researcher at Oregon Health and Science University, studies brain development. According to her research, it seems that exercise can make blood vessels, including those in the brain, stronger and more fully developed. Cameron claims this allows people who exercise to concentrate better. She says, "While we already know that exercise is good for the heart, exercise can literally cause physical changes in the brain."

The effects of exercise on brain development can even be seen in babies. Babies who do things that require a lot of movement and physical activity show greater brain development than babies who are less physically active. With babies, even a little movement can show big results. Margaret Barnes, a pediatrician, believes in the importance of exercise. She thinks that many learning disabilities children have in elementary school or high school can be traced back to a lack of movement as babies. "Babies need movement that stimulates their five senses," says Barnes. "They need to establish a connection between motion and memory. In this way, as they get older, children will begin to associate physical activity with higher learning."

The benefits of exercise on the brain are not just for babies. Older people can beef up their brains by working out as well. Researchers at Cornell University studied a group of seniors ranging in age from seventy to seventy-nine. Their study showed a short-term memory increase of up to forty percent after exercising just three hours a week. The exercise does not have to be very difficult, but it does have to increase the heart rate. Also, just like the motion for infants, exercise for older people should involve some complexity. Learning some new skills or motions, such as with yoga or tai-chi, helps open up memory paths in the brain that may not have been used for a long time.

For most people, any type of physical activity that increases the heart rate is helpful. The main goal is to increase the brain's flow of blood. Your brain can benefit from as little as two to three hours of exercise a week

For babies, movement helps brain growth and may prevent future learning problems. Even small amounts of activity can make a big difference.

For adults preparing for tests or trying to learn, exercise can help. It strengthens blood vessels in the brain, which may improve concentration and memory.

Older people can also benefit. A study showed that seniors who exercised just three hours a week had better short-term memory.

The type of exercise doesn't matter much, as long as it increases your heart rate. Activities that involve learning new skills, like yoga or tai-chi, can be especially helpful for opening up old memory paths in the brain.

Overall, just 2-3 hours of exercise per week can boost brain health.