新视野大学英语读写教程第三册unit2-b Does Exercise Have Unexpected Benefits
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Section (B)
Does Exercise Have Unexpected Benefits?
Just as exercise strengthens the heart and lungs, bones and muscles, it may also power up the brain. A succession of scientific studies of animals implies that physical activity has a positive effect on mental functioning. "It's clear that the brain benefits from exercise," says brain scientist William Greenough of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His studies with rats have demonstrated two primary effects of activity: vigorous physical exercise provides the brain with more fuel, and skill-based exercise
increases the formation of connections in the brain, which, according to the proposals of some scientists, may make the brain better able to process information. In one experiment, laboratory rats were separated into three groups. One group was exercised by running inside an automatic wheel, a second group improved their skills in a complicated obstacle course, and a third group was inactive.
"The animals that learned to go through the obstacle course exhibited a greater number of brain connections than the animals in the exercised or inactive groups," Greenough said. "In contrast, the animals that exercised inside the automatic wheel possessed a greater density of blood vessels in the brain than did either of the other two groups of animals." Learning a new dance step may boost the brain in the same way that learning a language can, he says. And if the dance is a good physical exercise as well, the benefits multiply. Young brains may be especially able to boost brain power through exercise, suggested another of Greenough's experiments that showed the most significant changes in the brain occurred among rats that had been exercised when very young. And while animals aren't people, he says it is logical to make the inference that an effect found in rats may also apply to humans.
Human studies have focused primarily on older adults and suggest that regular exercise can improve the speed with which the brain processes information. Measurements made by Arthur Kramer at the University of Illinois demonstrated that inactive adults, aged 63 to 82, could hit buttons faster in response to a tone after they went through a 10-week water exercise course. A corresponding control group that didn't exercise showed no improvement. This boost in reaction time after exercise training may occur because declines associated with getting old could actually stem from declines in physical condition. Some scientists speculate the reduction in mental function often attributed to getting old may really be a penalty of neglecting to stay physically active, in addition to related factors such as medicines and poor diet. "In older people, an exercise program appears important for brain maintenance," says Daniel M.
Landers, professor of exercise science at Arizona State University, who recently published an article reviewing the scientific literature on activity's effect on the brain.
Numerous studies show that children who engage in regular physical activity do better in school than their inactive classmates. But until recently, the academic edge gained by participating in sports was thought to come from the increased self-confidence, the better mood, and the ability to concentrate that comes from burning off steam in exercise. Now, however, some scientists have revised their way of thinking, and point to possible physical connections.
Pierce J. Howard, another expert, says new research indicates that physical exercise increases the amount of certain brain chemicals that stimulate growth of nerve cells. Consequently, the brains of people who exercise may be better equipped to tackle mental challenges. Inactivity may also have negative effects on mind and body alike. "Scientists recognize that mind is body, and body is mind," comments Howard. The most beneficial forms of exercise, he says, engage both.
Words: 602
New Words
succession n. 1.一连串的事物，一系列 2.连续，接续 3.继任(权)，继承(权)
imply vt. 暗示，暗指
rat n. 鼠，大老鼠
primary a. 1.首要的，基本的，主要的 2.最初的，最早的
vigorous a. 强壮的，有力的，精力充沛的
formation n. 1.组成，形成 2.形成物，结构 3.排列，队形
proposal n. 1.建议，计划，方案 2.求婚
laboratory n. 实验室
complicated a. 复杂的，难以理解或解释的
obstacle n. 障碍（物）
exhibit vt. 1.显示，显出 2.陈列，展览 n. 展览品，陈列品
possess vt. 拥有，具有
density n. 密集；密度
multiply v. 1.（使）增加，（使）繁殖 2.乘
boost vt. 改善，提高，增强，推动 n. 增加；帮助；鼓舞
logical a. 合乎逻辑的，条理分明的
inference n. 1.推断的结果，结论 2.推论，推断，推知
primarily ad. 首先，主要地，基本地
measurement n. 1.测量，衡量 2.（量得的）尺寸，大小
corresponding a. 相应的，对应的
stem vi. 源于，由... ...造成 n. （植物、灌木或树木的）茎，干
speculate v. 推测，推断
reduction n. 1.减少，减低，减缩 2.减少，减低，缩小
penalty n. 处罚，惩罚；罚金
neglect vt. 1.忽视，忽略 2.遗忘 n. 疏忽，忽略
maintenance n. 1.维护，保养 2.保持，维持
academic a. 1.学术的，学院的 2.纯理论的，不切实际的
concentrate v. 1.集中，集中精神 2.集中，聚集
revise vt. 1.修正，修改 2.复习，温习
cell n. 细胞
consequently ad. 因此，所以
equip vt. 1.使有准备 2.配备，装备
tackle vt. 1.处理，应付 2.与... ...交涉
alike ad. 一样地，相似地 a. 相同的，相像的
comment v. 评论，发表意见 n. 评论，意见
beneficial a. 有助的，有利的，有益的
Phrases and Expressions
separate… into 将... ...分为
obstacle course 越障训练；（喻）困难重重的事
go through 完成，通过
in contrast 相比之下
apply to 适用于
focus on 集中于
engage (oneself) in 从事，忙于
point to 表明；表示
Proper Names
William Greenough 威廉·格里诺
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 伊利诺伊大学厄巴纳-尚佩恩分校
Arthur Kramer 阿瑟·克雷默
Daniel M. Landers 丹尼尔·M. 兰德斯
Arizona State University 亚利桑那州立大学
Pierce J. Howard 皮尔斯·J. 霍华德
运动有奇效吗？
正如运动能强心、健肺、固骨、壮肌，运动也能健脑。 对动物的一系列科学研究表明，体育活动对智力的发挥有积极作用。
伊利诺伊大学厄巴纳-尚佩恩分校的脑科学家威廉·格里诺说，"很明显，运动使大脑受益。" 他对老鼠的研究已经表明运动具有两大功效：强力体育运动给大脑提供更多的燃料，而技巧性的运动则增强大脑神经的联结。依照某些科学家的见解，这种联结能使大脑更好地处理信息。
在一个实验中，实验鼠被分成三组： 第一组在自动轮中跑动，第二组通过一种复杂的越障训练来提高技能，第三组则不做任何运动。
"与跑动的和不运动的老鼠相比，经过越障训练的老鼠脑神经联结数更多。" 格里诺说， "相比之下，在自动轮中跑动的老鼠，较之其他两组的老鼠，其大脑的血管密度更大。"
他说，学习一种新的舞步和学习一种语言一样，都能促进大脑发展。 如果这种舞蹈还是一种良好的体育运动，则益处加倍。 据格里诺的另一组实验显示，年轻的大脑尤其能够通过运动来增强能力。这组实验表明，从小就锻炼的老鼠，其大脑的变化最为显著。 他说尽管动物不是人，但依此推断在老鼠身上发现的功效同样适用于人也合乎逻辑。
对人类的研究主要集中在老年人身上，其结果表明，经常锻炼能提高大脑处理信息的速度。 伊利诺伊大学阿瑟·克雷默测量的结果证明，63至82岁的不运动的成年人，在完成为期十周的水上运动课程之后，听音击键的反应加快了。 而另一组相应的、未经锻炼的受控人群则不见任何提高。
接受运动训练之后，人的反应速度会加快，这可能是因为与衰老有关的机能衰退实际上根源于体质下降。 一些科学家推测，除了药物作用和饮食不当等相关因素外，常常归咎于衰老的大脑功能下降实际可能是对不注意保持体育运动的一种惩罚。
亚利桑那州立大学的运动学教授丹尼尔·M. 兰德斯说，"对老年人来说，锻炼计划对维持大脑功能似乎非常重要。" 他最近发表了一篇文章，评述有关运动对大脑的影响的科学文献。
许多研究表明，经常进行体育锻炼的孩子，在学业上比他们那些不活动的同学优秀。 但直到最近，人们还认为因参加体育运动而获得的学业优势来自于增强的自信、更好的心态，以及由运动时消耗体力所带来的集中注意力的能力。 而现在，一些科学家修正了他们的看法，表示这可能与身体状况有关。
另一名专家皮尔斯·J. 霍华德说，新的研究表明，体育锻炼提高了大脑中某些激发神经细胞生长的脑化学物质的含量。 因此，那些进行锻炼的人的大脑可能更有能力应付各种智力挑战。
不活动对大脑和身体都可能有负面影响。 "科学家们都认识到，心即是身，身即是心，"霍华德评价道。 他说，最有益的运动是身心兼顾。
