PSY 355 wk 2

Motivation and the Brain

Exercise can be the answer that solves the worldwide growing problem of depression, which affects our brain structures and functions associated with motivation. What influences one by their intrinsic and extrinsic factors can be affected by one’s heredity and the environment. It is now well known that regular exercise is very important for the overall well-being of our human body.

Most individuals feel low sometimes, usually due to a stressing or traumatic event in one’s life. Ongoing depression is the most common psychological problem in the United States. Seventeen percent of Americans will suffer from a major depressive episode in their lifetime (Davidson, 1998). With the ever-increasing cost of health care in the United States alternative and preventative treatment in dealing with psychological conditions should be explored and exploited. Exercise, as a treatment appears to have therapeutic value in reducing depression. It is now well established by numerous research that exercise can also improve brain function. This concept has been studied in the last ten years especially in aging adults. A study showed that exercise improves brain function and it also lowers the risk of cognitive impairment when linked to aging (Davidson, 1998). Researchers continued to do further tests and found that exercise also helped with other functions. Exercise has not only improved an individual’s mood of depression, but a new study has suggests that by exercising that it might be capable of sharpening their minds – that is, of improving their executive functions (Howley & Powers, 2007).

Certain factors can motivate an individual to exercise whether it be internal or external factors. However, the combined effects of internal and external sources must exceed some threshold in order for one to have that drive to exercise.

Potential studies recommend that physical activity maybe reduce a person’s risk for developing a depressive disorder (Person). Doctors and scientist are researching the effects of exercise on depressive feelings and moods. This major breakthrough of understanding depression has become a significant health concern due to a harmful impact on quality of life, large financial impact, and increasing prevalence in society. A lot of times an individual’s outside life experiences can create more stress and possible health situation that can cause depression. Poor health is another major obstacle to exercise. In fact, becoming more active actually improves your health in many ways (Davidson, 1998).

The relationship between psychical activity and cognition for people of all ages can be a difficult study. For most, psychical activity has been related to better cognitive health and effective functioning across the lifespan (Person). 

References

Howley, E., Powers, S., Exercise Physiology, 6th edition. McGraw Hill 2007, p 1242.

Deckers, L. (2005). Motivation Biological, Psychological, and Environmental (2nd ed.). Boston: Pearson Education, Inc.