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for the exercise-energy link, according to O’Connor.


A recent groundbreaking study led by J. Mark Davis, Ph.D., direc- tor of the Exercise Biochemistry Laboratory at the University of South Carolina, found that mice that exer- cised one hour a day for eight weeks, versus mice that lounged nearby, developed new brain mitochondria, considered the energy powerhouses of the cells (Journal of Applied Physi- ology). Researchers knew from human studies that exercise can boost these mitochondria in the muscles, but the brain connection had never been shown. Davis speculates the increase could play a role in boosting exercise endurance by making the brain more resistant to fatigue, plus help individ- uals feel more energetic.


Just getting the blood pumping with a cardio blast can make people feel more energized, Hill contends, because blood supplies oxygen and nu- trients that generate fuel for the body. Regardless of the energy connection, researchers note that exercise improves overall health, maintains healthy weight and reduces risk of disease, making it an obvious choice as a double-duty energy boost.


“What so many of us do is grasp at things and try to make ourselves feel better in the short-term,” Hill says. “Regular exercise can make us feel bet-


ter in the long term.”


“You don’t have to run a mara- thon,” Puetz adds. In fact, it’s best not to overdo it, Puetz and O’Connor counsel. High-intensity workouts can drain energy in the short-term, and se- rious athletes that over-train can even end up in a low-energy, depressed state, they say. Their study published in Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics looked at otherwise healthy, but fa- tigued, people, finding that both low- and moderate-level exercise produced a similar and significant reduction in fatigue.


O’Connor offers a general recom- mendation, which varies with fitness level, of walking, swimming or cycling at least 10 minutes and up to an hour most days of the week. Even taking two or three 10-minute walks throughout the workday will make an energy differ- ence, Puetz advises.


“Anything’s better than nothing,” he concludes. “The bottom line is: If instead of reaching for that cup of coffee, you grab a pair of athletic shoes, you are not only going to experience the desired energy boost, you are going to be living a healthier lifestyle.”


Freelance journalist Debra Melani writes about health, medicine and fitness from Lyons, CO. Connect at DebraMelani.com or DMelani@msn.com.


How to Energize Any Workout


Anthony Wall, director of profes- sional education for the American Council on Exercise, offers these tips.


Play music. An increasingly popu- lar way for bumping up the energy level of a workout is to listen to an iPod loaded with a heart-pump- ing and self-motivating playlist. Research by Costas Karageorghis, Ph.D., of Brunel University, UK, has shown that syncing the right music with the right intensity level for the individual can improve car- dio performance by as much as 15 percent (Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology).


Hydrate. Drink water throughout the day and during every workout to maintain energy levels.


Sleep. Strive for a regular sleep routine.


Motivate. Remember that the reason for working out is not just because, “I’m supposed to,” but because, “I want more energy to play with the kids,” or “I want to feel good every day.”


natural awakenings November 2012


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